Species learning profile
Red drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a brackish fish associated with estuary habitat in Atlantic. A black tail spot may fool predators into striking away from the head.
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At a glance
- المياه
- مياه شروب
- Habitat
- مصب
- أقصى طول
- 160 cm
- النطاق
- الأطلسي
- الفصيلة
- Sciaenidae
- الرتبة
- Acanthuriformes
Observe
How to identify Red drum
- A black tail spot may fool predators into striking away from the head.
- Guide context: estuary habitat in Atlantic.
- Reported maximum length: 160 cm — capable of growing longer than many people are tall. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with estuary habitat across Atlantic. Tides mix fresh and salt water here, and sheltered shallows often serve as productive nursery habitat.
Behavior
Young use marshes; adults move to coastal water
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Crabs, shrimp, and fish.
Ecological role
Connects marsh nurseries with offshore food webs.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
قد يصل طول Red drum إلى نحو 160 سم، ويوجد غالبًا قرب مصب.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
Estuaries are vulnerable to shoreline loss, polluted runoff, dredging, and barriers between nursery and adult habitat.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Red drum in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections