Black Drum

Description: A dorso-ventrally tall fish with two dorsal fins. The fish is silver grey to black in color with darker black vertical bars. Numerous barbels are located under the mouth. This is a traditional tropical marine sport fish, described as a table favorite.

Natural Ecology: Black drum is primarily a carnivore of mollusks. May form schools in the aquarium.

Indigenous To: The Atlantic coast of North America, from the Gulf of Maine to the Gulf of Mexico.

Behavior: This species is not aggressive, but is a predator of most invertebrates and small fish.

Compatability: Usually ignores corals, but will eat fishes and other invertebrates. Also grows large, whose output of dissolved wastes may be problematic to the maintenance of pristine water quality.

Food: Proaquatix specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.