Scientific Name
Aplodinotus grunniens

Common Name
Freshwater drum

Biology
Occur in bottoms of medium to large rivers and lakes (Ref. 557, 10294). Adults feed on aquatic insect immatures such as mayflies (Hexagenia), amphipods, fish (especially shad and young drum), crayfish and mollusks. Larval stages of drum consume larvae of other fishes, while young fishes utilize zooplankton (Ref. 10294). Known to produce sound. L-shaped otoliths are collected as 'lucky stones' (Ref. 557). Utilized fresh and can be pan-fried and broiled (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1819

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Drums or croakers (Sciaenidae)

Distribution

Region

North and Central America

Distribution

North and Central America: East of Rocky Mountains in St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada and south to the Gulf of Mexico in USA; and Gulf Coast drainages from Mobile Bay in Georgia and Alabama through east Mexico to Rio Usumacinta system in Guatemala.

Range

58°N - 27°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

32 °C

Depth From - meters

30 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; depth range 30 - ? m (Ref. 9988)

Trophic Level

3.36 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

95.0 cm

Common Length

45.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=10)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated