Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens)

Scientific name: Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque, 1819

The Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a freshwater fish of the family Sciaenidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 32°C (90°F).

Freshwater drum care at a glance

Temperature: 32°C (90°F)

Biology

Occur in bottoms of medium to large rivers and lakes. 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. Known to produce sound. L-shaped otoliths are collected as 'lucky stones'. Utilized fresh and can be pan-fried and broiled.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Aplodinotus grunniens
Family: Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 95.0
Common length: 45.0
Depth range: 30 m (98 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; demersal; depth range 30 - ? m
Climate: Subtropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=10)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026