Red Fish, Spotail Bass, Puppy Drum, Red Rat, Bull Red, Channel Bass, Red
Sciaenops ocellatus
Description:
Robust and elongated cylindrical body that tapers to a powerful truncate tail. Typically has one dark spot at the base of the tail fin, but some specimens have been observed to exhibit multiple spots on the upper half of the body. May appear copper/bronze or reddish-brown around the sides and upper back, then fade to white near the belly. Large forward-oriented mouth with the posterior end of the jaw extending under and past the middle of the eye. No barbels on the chin.
Average Maximum Size:
155 cm (61 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
Adult Red Drum are distinguished from other regional drum species such as the Atlantic Croaker and Black Drum by their reddish-brown or copper/bronze adult coloration and the typical presence of a well defined dark spot at the base of the tail fin. Some adult Red Drum may have additional dark spots along the upper back.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
As with adults, juvenile Red Drum can be distinguished from juvenile Black Drum by the Black Drum's more distinctly arched dorsal body profile and presence of chin barbels. The juvenile or adult Red Drum's ocellated spot or spots will not be present on either life stage of the Black Drum or Atlantic Croaker
Range:
Maine to Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat:
Found in shallow coastal salt and brackish waters with soft sandy and muddy bottoms. Found also around oyster beds and structures in inshore and nearshore waters.
