#drum fish

54 common fish of texas, part 14: Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), black drum (Pogonias cromis), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius)

Drum Fish mouthplates

These bones of a freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) are being prepared at MVAC’s Lab for use in identifying drum fish bones commonly found at local archaeological sites. Drum, also called sheepshead, are common in larger lakes and rivers of Wisconsin and can grow to over 30 pounds. Their distinctive cranial bones are easy to identify--especially the pharyngeal arches and the otoliths. The two pairs of robust arches in the upper and lower portion of the fish’s throat are used to crush snails, freshwater mussels, and other macro-invertebrate foods. The nickel-sized, paired otoliths, or ear stones, are located in the fish’s cranial vault behind the brain. They assist in hearing and balance. The otoliths, sometimes called “lucky stones,” are composed of a hard calcium carbonate material. When sectioned, they show incremental growth rings that can be used to age the fish.

This bizarre looking object is from Broken Kettle, a late prehistoric Mill Creek village in Plymouth County. It is a remnant of the pharyngeal or throat teeth from a freshwater drum fish! Teeth like these are used to crush whatever the fish can grab and eat, like clams and mussels. The name "drum fish" (Latin: "Aplodinotus grunniens") comes from the fact that they have special muscles that vibrate against their swim bladder to create a grunting noise. These fish are not uncommon, and could have been captured and eaten. Texas Beyond History reports that these teeth may have been used as rattles: https://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/coast/nature/images/drum%20teeth-USFWS.html

this diver encountered a huge school of croakers, and their camera recorded some amazing vocals from these fish. croakers, and their larger relatives the drums, produce this sound by smashing a specializing muscle against their swim bladder. they emit these sounds to communicate among their school, when searching for a mate, and when they feel threatened.

And the bait robbers are back! Fun little fish, but they have a talent for swallowing hooks

The mouth of a drum fish (family Sciaenidae) showing the pharyngeal plates and teeth.  Photographer unknown.