The freshwater drum Fish, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America. It is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus and is a member of the family Sciaenidae. It is the only North American member of the group that inhabits freshwater for its entire life.[rx] Its generic name, Aplodinotus, comes from Greek meaning “single back”, and the specific epithet, grunniens, comes from a Latin word meaning “grunting”.[rx] It is given to it because of the grunting noise that mature males make. This noise comes from a special set of muscles within the body cavity that vibrate against the swim bladder. The purpose of the grunting is unknown, but due to it being present in only mature males and during the spawning season, it is assumed to be linked to spawning.[rx][rx]
| Freshwater drum Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Freshwater drum |
| Scientific Name: | Aplodinotus grunniens |
| Origin | Native to North and Central America |
| Colors | Silver |
| Shapes | Compressed, up to 0.91 m |
| Calories | 236 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin B-12 (148.33%) Isoleucine (95.39%) Lysine (95.10%) Tryptophan (88.18%) Threonine (86.25%) |
Alpodinotus grannies is a fish that is native to North and Central America. It is also known from other names such as Shepherd’s pie, Perch, Gray bass, Silver bass, Gasper goo, Gaspergou, Gou, Grunter, Grunt, Grinder, Croaker, Wuss fish, Sheephead and Sheepshead. It is a member of the Sciaenidae family and is an only North American member of a group which inhabits freshwater for its life. The generic name “Aplodinotus” is derived from Greek which means single back and “grannies” is derived from a Latin word that means grunting. The name is given to it due to the grunting noise which is made by mature males. The noise comes from a special set of muscles in the body cavity that vibrates against the swim bladder. The purpose of grunting is still unknown but is considered that it is associated with spawning being present in mature males only.
Typically, the drum weighs 2.3–6.8 kg (5–15 lb). The world record made by drum weighs 54 lb 8 oz (24.7 kg) which was caught on Nickajack Lake in Tennessee. Freshwater drum is silvery or gray in turbid waters and in clearer waters, they are more bronze and brown colored. The fish is deep-bodied having divided dorsal fins that consist of 29-32 rays and 10 spines. It has a wide distribution range extending from as far north as The Hudson Bay to the extreme Southern range in Rio Usumacinta Basin of Guatemala. They could be found as far east as the western banks of the Appalachian Mountain range in the eastern U.S. and extends as far west as Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. In North America, it is considered to be the most wide-ranging species of fish.
It occurs in the bottoms of large to medium rivers and lakes. Adults feed on aquatic insects immature such as amphipods, mayflies, crayfish, fish, and mollusks. The drum of larval stages eats larvae of other fishes and young fishes consume zooplankton. The fish prefers clear water but is also tolerant to turbid and murky water. It prefers the bottom to be clean sand or gravel substrates. The lateral line on a freshwater drum that extends to the end of its tail is a visible line of sense organs on the side of a fish that detects pressure and vibration. The adaptation allows the fish to pick up vibrations in the water and also to locate enemies or food.
Appearance
It has a distinctive appearance with silver-colored, deep-bodied fish which are laterally compressed. The lateral line extends to their rounded caudal fin which is an unusual characteristic. The long dorsal fin is relative to its total length which possesses a deep notch. It has a subterminal mouth with having bluntly rounded snout. Scales are ctenoid and lateral line scales range from 49 to 53. The anal fin contains two spines and seven soft rays.
Habitat and Ecology
The fish occurs in large silty lakes and medium to large rivers mostly in open water over mud bottom. It spawns in open water, far from shore. Eggs float at the surface.
Feeding
Adults feed on aquatic insects such as mayflies, mollusks, and small fish. At the early larval stage, it feeds on the larval stages of other fishes. When reached 12 mm, it feeds on zooplankton. Juveniles feed on larval stages of caddisflies and mayflies. The drum has heavy teeth behind its mouth or in its throat which assist in the consumption of snails and zebra mussels.
Lifecycle
Its life begins at the moment when a female’s egg is fertilized by the male. After 9 to 96 hours, the fertilized eggs hatch. When hatching, larvae are 3 mm and remains at the surface for 3 days or till it becomes capable to swim on its own. Then it proceeds to move into deeper waters and feed. It is considered juveniles at 15 mm. During their first year, it reaches 85 mm long and reaches the size of 150 mm the next. The size varies which is based on the availability of food and habitat. Sexes are not dimorphic.
Reproduction
Seasonally, it breeds in open water. The fertilized eggs float near the water surface where the eggs and larvae are carried by currents. They are promiscuous because females or males disperse eggs or sperm into the water column where the fertilization becomes random.
Generally, males reach to the maturity at the age of four and female reaches maturity at the age of five or six. Usually between May and June, when the temperature of the water reaches 20° C the spawning takes place. Within the water column, the fish spawn. Female produces from 40,000 to 60,000 ova. The fertilized eggs float near the water surface for 2 to 4 days before hatching. Larvae remain attached to the surface film till it obtains enough muscle strength to swim in deeper water. Usually, it requires three more days. In young fish, growth is rapid which slows down with age.
Communication and Perception
Freshwater drums communicate by making drumming, or croaking sounds with specialized muscles that vibrate against their air bladders. This feature gives the species its name, grunniens, latin for “grunting”. These muscles only develop in males. Drumming is thought to excite males and females to assemble in a breeding area. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Robison and Buchanan, 1988; Ross and Brenneman, 2001; Trautman, 1981)
- Communication Channels
- acoustic
- Other Communication Modes
- vibrations
- Perception Channels
- tactile
- acoustic
- chemical
Food Habits
Freshwater drums feed on prey at all hours of the night. They peruse the bottom in schools in search of many different items. They generally root around and move rocks and other substrates to flush their prey. Adults feed primarily on aquatic insects such as mayflies, small fish (in particular shad (Alosa) and immature drum), and mollusks. During the early larval stage freshwater drums feed primarily on the larval stages of other fishes. After reaching 12 mm they begin to feed on zooplankton (Clark and Pearson, 1979; as cited in Etnier and Starnes, 1993). Juveniles feed on larval stages of mayflies and caddisflies. Freshwater drums are equipped with heavy pharyngeal teeth that aid in the consumption of snails and the introduced Dreissena polymorpha. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hubbs and and Lagler, 1947; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2005; Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, 2005; Ross and Brenneman, 2001)
- Primary Diet
- piscivore
- insectivore carnivore
- omnivore
- Animal Foods
- fish
- eggs
- carrion
- insects
- mollusks
- terrestrial worms
- aquatic crustaceans
- zooplankton
Predation
Humans contribute to a great amount of predation on freshwater drum. Commercially up to 453,592 kg (1 million pounds) is harvested per year. Immature drum are preyed on by many different predatory fishes such as Sander vitreus, Esox masquinongy, Esox lucius, Aplodinotus grunniens, and gulls (Larus), such as Larus argentatus. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2005)
- Known Predators
- Sander vitreus
- Esox masquinongy
- Esox lucius
- Aplodinotus grunniens
- Larus argentatus
- Homo sapiens
Ecosystem Roles
Freshwater drums are known for their feeding on the notorious zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha. They do not control populations however they may contribute to high numbers of mortality in these nuisance mussels. It is documented that many types of mussels use the freshwater drums as a host in their reproductive cycle. (French and Bur, 2005; Molluscs Division of the Museum of Biological Diversity at the Ohio State University, 2004)
- Arcidens confragosus
- Ellipsaria lineolata
- Lampsilis higginsii
- Leptodea fragilis
- Megalonaias nervosa
- Potamilus capax
- Pyganodon grandis
- Truncilla truncata
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Freshwater drums are growing in popularity and in some cases, they are recognized as a sport fish. They are known for their great fighting ability and their large size. They are popular meat in some areas. In some cases, drums make a great bait to catch other fish species. These fish also have exceptionally large inner ear bones called otoliths. They are called “lucky stones” and are collected for good luck. Many otoliths have been found around old Indian settlements and were traded far outside of their natural range. Archeologists believe that they were collected by indigenous peoples and worn as jewelry. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2005; Robison and Buchanan, 1988; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2005; Trautman, 1981)
Nutritional value of Fish, drum, freshwater, cooked, dry heat
Calories 236 Kcal. Calories from Fat 87.57 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 109.25 g | N/D |
| Energy | 236 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 986 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 34.63 g | 69.26% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 9.73 g | 27.80% |
| Ash | 2.13 g | N/D |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 119 mg | 11.90% |
| Iron, Fe | 1.77 mg | 22.13% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 59 mg | 14.05% |
| Phosphorus, P | 356 mg | 50.86% |
| Potassium, K | 544 mg | 11.57% |
| Sodium, Na | 148 mg | 9.87% |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.31 mg | 11.91% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.457 mg | 50.78% |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.381 mg | 60.04% |
| Selenium, Se | 24.9 µg | 45.27% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.125 mg | 10.42% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.319 mg | 24.54% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 4.407 mg | 27.54% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 1.332 mg | 26.64% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.533 mg | 41.00% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 26 µg | 6.50% |
| Folate, food | 26 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 26 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamine) | 3.56 µg | 148.33% |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 1.5 mg | 1.67% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 91 µg | 13.00% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 302 IU | N/D |
| Retinol | 91 µg | N/D |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.208 g | N/D |
| Myristic acid 14:00(Tetradecanoic acid) | 0.208 g | N/D |
| Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) | 1.722 g | N/D |
| Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) | 0.28 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.323 g | N/D |
| Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid) | 1.562 g | N/D |
| Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) | 2.367 g | N/D |
| Gadoleic acid 20:1 (eicosenoic acid) | 0.16 g | N/D |
| Erucic acid 22:1 (docosenoic acid) | 0.236 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.278 g | N/D |
| Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) | 0.306 g | N/D |
| Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) | 0.225 g | N/D |
| Arachidonic acid 20:4 (Eicosatetraenoic acid) | 0.442 g | N/D |
| 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.454 g | N/D |
| 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.285 g | N/D |
| 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.567 g | N/D |
| Cholesterol | 126 mg | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.388 g | 88.18% |
| Threonine | 1.518 g | 86.25% |
| Isoleucine | 1.595 g | 95.39% |
| Leucine | 2.815 g | 76.16% |
| Lysine | 3.18 g | 95.10% |
| Methionine | 1.026 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.371 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 1.352 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 1.169 g | N/D |
| Valine | 1.785 g | 84.52% |
| Arginine | 2.073 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 1.019 g | 82.71% |
| Alanine | 2.094 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 3.547 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 5.17 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 1.662 g | N/D |
| Proline | 1.224 g | N/D |
| Serine | 1.412 g | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ 
Health Benefits of fresh drums fish
The Health benefits of fresh drums fish are
- May Prevent Chronic Diseases – There is an impressively large amount of selenium found in smelt fish, nearly 45% of your daily requirement in each serving. This relatively rare mineral works as a powerful antioxidant. It may reduce oxidative stress in the body and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. [rx]
- Prevent acne – It prevents acne and regulates testosterone levels in the body. Additionally, it is also involved in collagen synthesis. It normalizes the skin oils and promotes skin health. Zinc promotes the count of white blood cells and lowers the risk of infection. Zinc reduces the appearance of scars. (rx)
- Treat cramps – The deficiency of potassium causes cramps in muscles that is known as hypokalemia. The high intake of potassium prevents muscle cramps. and the fish is the best source of potassium.(rx)
- Provides energy – Sugar is a great source of energy. Vitamin B1 oxidizes the usable form of energy. It plays a vital role in the pyruvate dehydrogenase system that assists in sugar oxidation. Vitamin B1 is essential for the functions of the enzyme system that supports various functions. (rx)
- Enhance immunity – Vitamin B1 promotes immunity power by promoting antibodies and reinforce the defense system to counteract infections.
- Nervous health – Riboflavin cures nervous ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease, numbness, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. It helps to treat painful symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Help Growth – Nowadays, a lot of parents are stimulating their children’s growth by giving them additional supplements. However, it will be better if we stimulate it naturally. Such as giving the kids balanced nutrition, one of the ways to do this is by giving them the sea fish. The contents of vitamin D in it can also help children to grow taller. The health benefits of baby banana can also be an alternative for you to help with, especially, children’s growth.
- Strengthening Body’s – Another benefit of sea fish is to protect and maintain the body’s immune system. The content of calcipotriol in vitamin D that is produced by the pomfret fish can also function as an immune system modulator. This nutrition is well-fitted for those of you who are easy to catch a cold, flu, cough, or even headache.
- Decrease the Risk of Breast Cancer – Breast cancer is one of the diseases that are very difficult to cure. Therefore, we need to take some steps in order to avoid this cancer. This can be done in many ways such as consuming the sea fish. This fish is capable to prevent cancer cells from multiplying in your body.
- Help You Stays Young – Rejuvenating skin to make it stays beautiful and elastic is certainly what every woman always hoping for. One of the tips to do this, is, by consuming foods that contain vitamin D, such as sea fish. By consuming the fish every day, then the vitamin D can help to rejuvenate your skin and makes it look healthier and fresher. Even the vitamin D2 and D3 types are capable to decrease the risk of skin diseases such as psoriasis.
- Osteomalacia Medicine – Osteomalacia is a disease that attacks the tissues of the human body. The cause of this is the abnormality function of tissue when it is processing the development of minerals on the bones. This can make the bones weak and very easy to break, which usually happens in adults. The solution to this disease is by consuming sea fish and food that have vitamin D in them as well as exposing yourself to the sunlight.
- Prevent Rachitic – If osteomalacia usually attacks the adults, rachitic is a bone disease that usually attacks the children. The main cause of this disease is lacking vitamin D and minerals in the bones, thus disturbing the development of the bones. The disease will make the bones weak and not strong enough. One of the solutions to this is to let the children consume foods with vitamin D in them such as spot fish and exposure to the sunlight as well.
- Decrease Dementia Risk – For those of you who can afford to consume fish every day, this may be a way to decrease the risk of developing dementia such as Alzheimer’s. This disease attacks the memory or storage media since it degrades the brain cells that can make the patient suffer severe memory loss. One of the ways to prevent this is by consuming fish for its omega 3 content (DHA and EPA). It can help stimulate your brain tissues and cells. If you happen to notice some symptoms of dementia within your body or people around you, don’t forget to go consume sea fish immediately.
- Decrease Depression – Consuming sea fish every day will allow you to decrease the risks of depression. This can be said since one of the causes of depression is a low level of omega 3 fatty acid. Therefore, consuming his fish every day can help you to make sure that you have the omega 3 you needed. There you go to know the health benefits of sea fish.
- normalizes carbohydrate metabolism;
- reduces the concentration of “bad” cholesterol;
- improves brain cognitive function;
- stimulates the activity of the immune system;
- prevents the formation of inflammatory reactions;
- improves water-salt metabolism;
- participates in the regulation of vascular tone;
- strengthens the myocardium;
- normalizes blood clotting processes;
- stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis;
- increases bone density;
- improves blood rheology;
- stimulates the synthesis of enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters;
- promotes tissue regeneration;
- slows down the aging process of the skin;
- enhances libido (libido).
6 REASONS TO TRY FRESHWATER DRUM FISHING
Whether you’re looking to enrich your fishing hobby or find a more serious angling adventure, here are six reasons to try freshwater drum fishing for yourself:
1. DRUMS ARE EVERYWHERE
The freshwater drum population is massive in North American lakes and rivers. You can travel to almost any freshwater waterway in the country and spend the day catching nothing but drum fish.
The Mississippi River basin is the most common drum habitat, but there are huge drum fish populations in at least 27 states, from Montana, Nebraska, and Texas in western regions to Georgia, Vermont, and Virginia in eastern territories.
If you fancy crossing the northern border into Canada for an angling trip, you can head to Lake Winnipeg to fish for freshwater drums. Alternatively, you can travel south to Mexico and Guatemala to fish southern freshwater rivers and lakes for drums.
2. DRUMs ARE QUITE THE CATCH
Another reason to try freshwater drum fishing is that they are a great catch, reaching weights between 10 and 50 pounds. In 1972, Benny Hull set a drum fish rod-and-reel record by catching a 54.6-pounder at Nijack Lake in Tennessee.
Drum are exciting to catch, especially when using light tackle. They will put up a bit of a fight, making it a rewarding challenge to bring in a big catch.
If you choose to fish for drum from a boat, it’s important that you maintain boating safety. Make sure you’re wearing proper safety equipment and that your fishing gear doesn’t make your boat overweight. You won’t be standing still as you reel in a freshwater drum, and you don’t want to end up going overboard.
3. FISH FOR DRUM ALL YEAR ROUND
You can fish for freshwater drums all year round. While numbers spike in the summer months, the freshwater drums can be caught in the autumn and winter—if you can lure them out of hiding. Unlike many other sportfish, which tend to school in the deepest parts of waterways for a winter rest, freshwater drums can be lured from the water floor on the hottest and coldest days.
During the spring and fall, the freshwater drums will school in shallow waters, and they’ll descend to the depths of the waterway during the summer and winter months. Drum tend to gather on the edge of steep bottom channels and ledges and in deep pools.
Summer is when drum populations hit their peak, with freshwater drums gathering in huge schools. Spring is a great time to fish for freshwater drums, too, as this is when they gather to spawn.
4. FRESHWATER DRUMS ARE EASY TO CATCH
Anglers enjoy the thrill of the catch, and freshwater drums can be easily caught with multiple types of lures and a variety of foods. Adult freshwater drum fish have quite the appetite and a varied diet that can include crayfish, insects, mussels, and small fish.
You can use a range of bait to catch them, from redworms, shad, crayfish, minnows, and crickets to blade baits, jerk baits, and jigs. They can be caught as soon as your line is cast or by trolling and bottom-fishing. Whether it’s in deep or shallow water, day or night, you can expect a drum to take a bite out of your bait.
5. MOST ANGLERS DON’T FISH FOR DRUM
Many anglers hold out trying to catch fish that play hard to get, which means very few fish for freshwater drum. The drum isn’t challenging to catch, and you can land up to 50 in one session. At the end of the day, that’s what fishing is all about: catching fish.
Because freshwater drums is available all year round and very few anglers fish for them, you can enjoy a fishing expedition at any time with little competition.
6. FRESHWATER DRUM CAN BE COOKED AND EATEN
You can cook and eat your freshwater drum catch; your well-earned evening meal can perfectly round off a full day of fishing. Freshwater drum tastes similar to redfish.
You can fillet your catch to remove bones and when it’s cooked, it has a firm, not flaky texture. You eat freshwater drum baked, broiled, fried, grilled, and smoked.
If you have a large harvest, consider making a chowder or fish stew with leftovers. A quick online search can help you find additional recipes for your freshwater drum catch.
To preserve its flavor, you will need to get your catch on ice as soon as you can. Avoid carrying drums in wire baskets, as the fish flesh will quickly spoil when not properly chilled.
Other Facts
- Large otoliths are used as necklaces or bracelets by Native Americans.
- Otoliths in an inner ear could be an inch in diameter in a Freshwater drum. It helps the fish to remain balanced and oriented in murky water.
- Eggs float on the surface of water till it hatches. Sometimes, it travels for miles on windswept lakes or rivers before newly hatched fish emerges.
- In North America, it is the only member of its family which occurs completely in freshwater habitats.
Precautions
- The consumption of sea fish if one is trying to reduce inflammatory diseases such as heart disease.
- Farmed ones contain arsenic that leads to arsenic poisoning.
- Farmed seafood results in to increase in inflammation leading to weight gain, arthritis, and heart diseases.
- The imbalance ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 causes heart disease and hypertension.
- Seafood and fish in farms have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OC), trifluralin pesticides, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) causing diseases or even death.
- The seafood has a high content of mercury, which may lead to mercury toxicity.
- Consume it in moderate amounts. So consume it with caution.
- Some people might get allergic reactions. So avoid it.
- It has a high chance of contamination.
- One should limit its intake.
- Consult the doctor by pregnant women and children before consuming it. Children and pregnant women should avoid it because the high content of mercury might cause a negative impact on the development of the nervous system of a fetus.
References
