# Pogonias cromis The black drum fish is a strong swimmer found in warm coastal waters. They have a dark, silvery body and can make a deep, booming sound that helps them communicate with each other. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Black Drum ![Pogonias cromis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_drum.jpg&width=800) Photo: Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Louisiana State University, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_drum.jpg) ## Appearance The Pogonias cromis is a robust, deep-bodied fish with a high arched back and a silvery-grey to dark brassy color. Juveniles display distinct dark vertical bars that fade as they mature. It has several whisker-like barbels on its chin. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Sciaenidae - **Genus:** Pogonias ## Interesting facts - Black drum often hang out in huge schools, sometimes hundreds of fish strong! - They are the biggest type of drum fish in the ocean, growing super huge! - This fish uses its strong chin feelers to sniff out yummy snacks on the ocean floor! - Young black drum wear cool stripes that fade as they get older! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Drumming:** Pogonias cromis can make drumming sounds by vibrating special muscles against its swim bladder, which helps them communicate underwater. - **Shell Crusher:** Pogonias cromis has powerful crushing plates and teeth at the back of its mouth that help them crack open tough mollusk shells for food. - **Seafloor Detective:** Pogonias cromis has sensitive barbels on its chin that help them feel for hidden prey like crabs and clams along the murky seafloor. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-150 cm - **Weight:** 1-60 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-60 years - **Swim Speed:** 20 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 60 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Black drum are bottom feeders that love to crush hard-shelled snacks like clams and crabs. - **Age differences:** Young fish eat small worms and shrimp, while adults feast on hard-shelled mollusks and crabs. - **Primary Foods:** Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Crabs, Shrimp, Worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eastern Oyster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-oyster) (*Crassostrea virginica*) — Crushes shells with strong teeth. - **Eats:** [Blue Crab](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-crab) (*Callinectes sapidus*) — Forages for these crustaceans on the seafloor. - **Eaten by:** [Bull Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bull-shark) (*Carcharhinus leucas*) — Larger sharks prey on black drum. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always be careful around water and ask an adult before fishing. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pogonias cromis? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pogonias cromis? 30-150 cm ### How much does Pogonias cromis weigh? 1-60 kg ### How long does Pogonias cromis live? 10-60 years ### What does Pogonias cromis eat? Black drum are bottom feeders that love to crush hard-shelled snacks like clams and crabs. ### How fast can Pogonias cromis swim? 20 km/h ### Where is Pogonias cromis usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Pogonias cromis hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-key-scrub-state-reserve) — Florida, US · State Park - [Matanzas State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matanzas-state-forest) — Florida, US · Forest ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Pogonias cromis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pogonias-cromis)