Red Drum

A Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a popular game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It's a member of the drum family and is known for its coppery-red color and the distinctive black spot on its tail.

The Red Drum has an elongated body with a rounded, broad tail. Its scales are a beautiful iridescent, copper-red color that is darker on the back and fades to a white or silver on the belly. The most unique and defining feature is the single, large black spot on the upper part of its tail. This spot is believed to be a "false eye" to confuse predators.

Red Drums are found in estuaries, bays, and coastal waters, from Massachusetts down to Mexico. They are bottom-feeders that use their sub-terminal mouth to suck up prey from the seabed. Their diet consists mainly of crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They are named "drum" because of the drumming or croaking sound they make by vibrating a muscle against their swim bladder.

The Red Drum is highly sought after by recreational anglers, especially in the southeastern United States. It's known for its strong fighting ability. While it was once a commercially important species, strict regulations were put in place to protect it from overfishing, making it primarily a game fish today.