sciaenids

Sciaenids, commonly known as drums or croakers, are a diverse family of perciform fishes that inhabit both marine and brackish waters, with some species occurring in freshwater river systems. The family, which contains over 130 recognized species, occupies a wide geographic range from the Arctic to the Southern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity found in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, particularly in the Indo-West Pacific and the Americas.

These fishes are characterized by a robust, laterally compressed body, a long dorsal fin typically starting near the midpoint of the back, and an anal fin with 8–10 rays. Most sciaenids possess a single spiral or shotgun-style swim bladder that functions as a sound generator. Male individuals produce a series of vocalizations by contracting specialized muscles that vibrate the swim bladder, a behavior that gives the group its common names. Their mouths are generally equipped with small, bristle-like teeth suited for crushing crustaceans and other invertebrates, the principal components of their diet. Many species exhibit opportunistic feeding habits, also consuming small fish and detritus.

Reproduction typically occurs in estuarine or shallow coastal waters where eggs and larvae develop. Some species are anadromous, migrating from marine environments into freshwater for spawning. Sciaenids play significant ecological roles as mid-level predators and as prey for larger predatory fishes, marine mammals, and birds. Several species are of commercial importance to coastal fisheries and aquaculture operations due to their palatable flesh and relative abundance. Research into their sound production mechanisms has also contributed to the study of fish communication and the development of acoustic monitoring techniques for fisheries management.