Black Drum
(Pogonias cromis)
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Animal Type
Fish
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Exhibits
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Range
Atlantic Ocean
Overview
Some fish use their swim bladders in surprising ways. As members of the drum and croaker family, black drums can make a drumming sound by vibrating their swim bladders with special muscles. They create this sound to call out to mates.
These silver-grey fish are bottom dwellers. They utilize the barbels (or whisker-like sensory organs) on their chin to find prey in murky and dark water. Black drums also have strong teeth plates, which they use to crush the shells of crustaceans and mollusks. They often live around oyster beds to stay close to their favorite food.
Quick Facts
Learn more about black drums! Did you know they can live to be 50 years old?
Black drums live in the western Atlantic Ocean, along the eastern coast of North and South America. They are one of the largest fish to visit the Chesapeake Bay from spring through autumn. In Maryland, juvenile black drums live in brackish water in the lower parts of the Bay, while adults live in coastal areas.
Young black drums eat small crustaceans, marine worms and smaller fish. Adults eat mollusks and crustaceans, such as crabs and oysters.
Black drums range from 1.5 to 5.5 feet long. They weigh between 50 and 100 pounds.
Their population is stable.
Larger fish often eat juvenile black drums, while adults are preyed on by sharks. Black drums are also popular sport fish, making them common targets for fishers.
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