Red drum

Name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Location found: Grand isle
Habitat: Coastal waters



Red Drum usually occur along coastal waters. Three year-old red drum typically weigh six to eight pounds. The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish but having no spots is extremely rare. As the fish with multiple spots grow older they seem to lose their excess spots. Scientists believe that the black spot near their tail helps fool predators into attacking the red drum's tail instead of their head, allowing the red drum to escape.

Karl Netzhammer