Sciaenops

Sciaenops is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Sciaenidae, commonly known as drums. The only species currently recognized in this genus is Sciaenops ocellatus, also known as the red drum. This species is found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Massachusetts to Florida, and also in the Gulf of Mexico. Red drum are characterized by their reddish-bronze coloration and a distinctive black spot or spots near the tail. They are an important species both commercially and recreationally, prized for their firm, white flesh. These fish are demersal, meaning they live on or near the bottom of the ocean, and inhabit a variety of habitats including surf zones, bays, estuaries, and offshore reefs. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. Spawning typically occurs in the fall, with females releasing eggs into the water column. Red drum are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born male and can change to female later in life. The species has a long lifespan, with individuals potentially living for several decades.