Pogonias cromis (Linnaeus, 1766)
Black drum
Pogonias cromis
photo by Carvalho Filho, A.

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  170 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 51 kg; max. reported age: 43 years
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia (Ref. 7251) to Florida, Gulf of Mexico, the Antilles (uncommon), and the southern Caribbean coast; also from the Orinoco delta to Argentina.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-22; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-7. Silvery grey to very dark, young with 4 or 5 black vertical bars on sides, disappearing with growth; pelvic and anal fins usually dark. Chin with 5 pores and 10 to 13 pairs of small barbels along median edges of lower jaws and subopercles, increasing in length posteriorly. Gas bladder with numerous lateral appendages interconnected in a complicated pattern in adult. Sagitta semicircular and moderately thin (Ref 51721).
Biology:  Found usually over sand and sandy mud bottoms in coastal waters, especially in areas with large river runoffs. Juveniles often enter estuaries. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks and fishes.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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