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Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus) — Sciaenidae

Fusca drum

Umbrina ronchus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The fusca drum is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 80 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with oblique golden lines and a short, stout barbel under the chin. Like other croakers it makes a drumming sound with its swim bladder. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and reef bottoms for worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fusca drum?

The Fusca drum has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Fusca drum live?

The Fusca drum lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo and others

How big does the Fusca drum get?

The Fusca drum grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Fusca drum dangerous to humans?

No, the Fusca drum is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Fusca drum edible?

Yes, the Fusca drum is commonly eaten.

More photos

Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Franco Colnago, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kulowva, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Bommerer, some rights reserved (CC BY))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Fusca drum and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Fusca drum sourced
Scientific name
Umbrina ronchus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Fusca drum; Roncador; Slender baardman; Slender tasselfish; Fusca croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Umbrina

More from the family Sciaenidae

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