Many people encounter two names for the same fish: “redfish” and “red drum.” This overlap often leads to confusion, prompting questions about whether they are distinct species or just different labels. Understanding the relationship between these names can clarify a common misconception and shed light on a popular game fish found in North American waters.
The Simple Truth
Redfish and red drum are the same species. They are scientifically classified as Sciaenops ocellatus, a single species within the drum family, Sciaenidae. This scientific name confirms they refer to one biological entity, despite varied common names across regions. This species is a highly sought-after fish for recreational anglers along the coastlines where it resides.
Unraveling the Names
Multiple names for Sciaenops ocellatus stem from the distinction between scientific and common nomenclature. While the scientific name provides a consistent identifier, common names vary regionally and by fish size. This fish is widely known by names such as “channel bass,” “spottail bass,” “bull red” for larger adults, and “puppy drum” or “rat red” for smaller, younger individuals. The “drum” in its name refers to the distinctive drumming or croaking sound males produce by vibrating their swim bladders, particularly during spawning.
Distinctive Features
The red drum possesses several recognizable physical characteristics. Its body is elongated and robust, typically displaying a coppery-red or reddish-bronze coloration that can vary from a deep dark copper to an almost silvery sheen, depending on its habitat and diet. A defining feature is one or more prominent black spots, usually at the base of its tail, with one spot being most common. These spots are thought to deter predators by mimicking an eye, drawing attacks away from the fish’s head. Adult red drum commonly caught by anglers typically weigh 6 to 8 pounds and measure 20 to 30 inches, though they can grow much larger, with the maximum recorded weight just under 100 pounds.
Habitat and Range
Red drum inhabit coastal environments along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. Their range extends from Massachusetts down to Florida and westward into northern Mexico. They tolerate varying water conditions, including temperatures from 39 to 93°F and a wide range of salinity, even occasionally venturing into fresh water. This adaptability allows them to thrive in diverse habitats such as shallow inshore estuaries, river mouths, bays, sandy bottoms, and deeper continental shelf waters. Young red drum primarily inhabit protected estuaries and shallow coastal waters until about three to four years of age, then often migrate to more open coastal environments, commonly seeking areas with submerged vegetation like seagrass beds, muddy bottoms, oyster reefs, and artificial structures like jetties and pier pilings.