Canary Drum

Overview

The Canary drum is a warm-water marine fish belonging to the croaker family, Sciaenidae. It is typically found in small groups, inhabiting deeper coastal waters across the eastern Atlantic, western Mediterranean, and parts of the western Indian Ocean.

Appearance

This species has a stout, laterally compressed body with a small, downward-facing mouth and a short, rigid barb on its chin. Its coloration ranges from greyish-silver to dark grey, often featuring bronze or golden reflections and faint longitudinal dark lines along the back. While juveniles display narrow, oblique dark and light stripes, these markings fade as the fish matures. The edges of the second dorsal and caudal fins are typically dark grey or black.

Distribution & habitat

The Canary drum is primarily a demersal species, most commonly found over sandy and muddy bottoms along the continental shelf and upper slope. While it can be observed near rocky reefs or shipwrecks, it prefers soft substrates. It is widely distributed from the Bay of Biscay south to South Africa, including the western Mediterranean and coastal regions of the western Indian Ocean.

Biology & behavior

As a carnivorous species, the Canary drum feeds on a variety of small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, including shrimps and worms. It is a relatively long-lived fish, with a maximum reported age of 27 years. It is considered harmless to humans and is currently classified as a species of Least Concern.