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Pacific drum (Larimus pacificus) — Sciaenidae

Pacific drum

Larimus pacificus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific drum (Larimus pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
29.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific drum is a croaker from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central and South America. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a deep, silvery body with an obliquely upturned mouth. Like other croakers it makes drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It schools over sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and hunts shrimp, small crustaceans and fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific drum?

The Pacific drum has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pacific drum live?

The Pacific drum lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Pacific drum get?

The Pacific drum grows to a maximum of about 32 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Pacific drum dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific drum is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific drum edible?

Yes, the Pacific drum is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische trommelvis verified
English name
Pacific drum verified
Scientific name
Larimus pacificus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Pacific drum verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
29.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Larimus

More from the family Sciaenidae

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