Fish
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis · also called black drums
A low, rhythmic drumming sound rises from beneath a coastal pier at dusk, produced entirely by a fish vibrating its own internal muscles against a resonating swim bladder, a black drum announcing itself long before it’s ever seen.
Overview
The black drum, Pogonias cromis, is a large, hard-shell-crushing fish native to coastal and estuarine habitat along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the Americas. Its self-produced drumming sound, powerful throat teeth capable of crushing oysters whole, and impressive potential size make it one of the more distinctive and popular coastal sport fish in North America.
A fish that announces itself
Long before a black drum is ever spotted in murky coastal water, its low drumming call, produced by muscles vibrating against its own swim bladder, can give away exactly where it’s waiting.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and abundant across suitable coastal and estuarine habitat throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the Americas.
Black Drum: common questions
How does a black drum make its drumming sound?
This species generates a distinctive drumming or croaking sound by vibrating specialised muscles against its swim bladder, which acts like a resonating chamber, a sound most commonly produced during mating behaviour and audible even from above the water in some cases.
How does the black drum eat hard-shelled prey like oysters?
It has powerful, flattened pharyngeal teeth located in its throat, capable of crushing oyster and clam shells whole, letting the black drum access prey that would be far too tough for many other fish to break into.
Why do anglers often prefer smaller black drum for eating?
While this species can grow to an impressive size, larger, older individuals are more prone to developing tough texture or being affected by spaghetti worms in the flesh, leading many anglers to specifically target and keep smaller fish for the table.
What are the barbels under a black drum's chin for?
A black drum uses the row of short, sensitive barbels beneath its chin to detect food hidden in soft mud or sand along the bottom, helping it locate buried shellfish and other prey it cannot see directly.