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Description:
Red drum are large, robust fishes that grow to 5 feet in length and may
weigh more than 90 pounds. The body is elongate and compressed.
Color is variable and may be shades to copper, bronze, gray, or reddish
dorsally, with the ventral surface white. The fins, especially the
caudal and dorsal fins are dusky, with the anal fin and pelvic fins
typically paler. The large mouth is horizontal and inferior, with the
upper jaw reaching behind the eye. The lateral line is obvious and
extends to the posterior margin of the caudal fin. One to several
large, rounded spots or blotches are present on the base of the caudal fin.
No barbels are present on the chin, as is common in other drums.
Habitat:
Red drum inhabit estuarine, nearshore and offshore waters, depending on age
and size. Typically, juveniles utilize estuaries as nursery grounds
for several years, until they attain 30 inches in length. They then
migrate to nearshore and offshore waters to join spawning adults.
Range:
Red drum range from Massachusetts and New York south through the Gulf of
Mexico, to the area around laguna del la Madre, Mexico. They are most
abundant on the U.S. Gulf coast from Texas and Louisiana through Florida.
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The red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. Photo courtesy South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
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Red drum captured from the Indian River Lagoon. Photo courtesy R. G. Gilmore, Dynamac Corp.
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Red drum are prolific spawners. Females may spawn every 3 - 5 days
during the season, and can release more than a million eggs at each spawn.
Unfortunately, though a single female can produce tens of millions of eggs
each year, very few survive to adulthood.
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