Freshwater drum

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iFreshwater drum

Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sciaenidae
Genus: Aplodinotus
Species: A. grunniens
Binomial name
Aplodinotus grunniens
Rafinesque, 1819

The freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America. It is the only freshwater species in the genus Aplodinotus. The fish is known for its succulent flesh, but many fishermen are put off by its mucus lining and dank smell. Freshwater drum possess an adapted swim bladder which is able to produce sound. Many fisherman are often surprised by the croaking sounds produced by this species. Sound production is thought to be related to spawning activity where many drum will gather in pelagic waters of an ecosystem and begin drumming. It is also called: sheepshead, silver bass, Gasper goo, grunt, grinder and croaker. Freshwater drum have the largest latitudinal range of any freshwater fish in North America. Commercial fisheries are present for this species although market price tends to be quite low. Thus, many indivduals are harvested as bycatch from other target fisheries.

The name "Gasper Goo" is an English mispronunciation of the French name "Casse burgau" (mussel breaker). Freshwater mussels are a favored prey item of this fish.

The drum's otoliths (ear bones) are large and in the past were used by Native Americans for jewelry, currency & as good luck charms. Otoliths can also be used to estimate drum ages which tend to be quite long-lived. Freshwater drum have attained maximium ages of 72 years old in Red Lakes, Minnesota and 32 years old in the Cahaba River, Alabama.

The band, Reptile Palace Orchestra, from Madison, Wisconsin, has a song dedicated to the freshwater drum.

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