The black drum (Pogonias cromis) is a widely distributed fish species found along coastal areas of the Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Nova Scotia to Florida, throughout the Gulf of Mexico, and as far south as Argentina. These fish inhabit various environments, including brackish estuaries, shallow bays, and even offshore waters. They thrive in diverse habitats, from clear sand flats to muddy bay waters.
General Body Profile
The black drum has a chunky, deep-bodied, and high-backed form. Its robust, somewhat elongated build gives it a solid and powerful look. The back often appears arched and rounded, contributing to its overall stout profile.
Black drum typically range from 5 to 30 pounds, but they can grow considerably larger. Record individuals have reached 146 pounds. While juveniles measure around 6 to 16 inches in their first few years, adult black drum can reach lengths of 40 to 60 inches.
Defining Features and Coloration
Black drum coloration typically ranges from grayish-black to bronze, often with a metallic or brassy sheen. Shade varies by habitat; for instance, fish from Gulf waters may appear lighter or silvery, while those in muddy bays can be darker, sometimes even jet black. Older fish generally have white bellies, contrasting with their darker upper bodies.
A defining characteristic is the multiple whisker-like barbels on its lower jaw. These sensory organs help them locate prey buried in the sediment, as they are bottom feeders. The black drum also features a mouth that points downward, allowing it to efficiently forage along the seabed.
The mouth contains blunt crushing teeth, specifically powerful pharyngeal teeth in the back of its throat. These teeth are adapted for grinding hard-shelled prey like oysters, clams, and crabs. Most teeth are molar-like, though some smaller, pointed teeth may be present around the jaws. The body is covered with large, rough, and comblike scales.
Younger black drum display four to six distinct dark vertical bars along their sides. These stripes fade and disappear as the fish matures.
How to Tell it Apart
Black drum can be distinguished from similar coastal fish, such as the red drum and sheepshead, by several key features. Unlike red drum, black drum have barbels on their chin. Red drum are typically copper-reddish in color and often have one or more prominent black spots near the base of their tail, markings absent on black drum. Black drum also tend to grow larger and heavier than red drum.
Dental structure is a key differentiator from sheepshead. Sheepshead have distinct, human-like incisor teeth at the front of their mouths, whereas black drum possess blunt, crushing pharyngeal teeth primarily in the back of their throats. Although both juvenile black drum and sheepshead can exhibit vertical bars, only the black drum has the characteristic chin barbels. Furthermore, sheepshead generally have a more slender body compared to the black drum’s robust and deep-bodied form.