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Canary drum (Umbrina canariensis) — Sciaenidae

Canary drum

Umbrina canariensis
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Canary drum (Umbrina canariensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The Canary drum is a croaker of the family Sciaenidae (drums) reaching about 80 cm. The elongate, silvery-grey body bears oblique rows of dark streaks and has an inferior mouth with a short, stout chin barbel with which the fish probes the bottom. Like other drums it can make a drumming sound with muscles against its swim bladder. The species lives over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. On the bottom it searches, mainly at night, for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. With its tasty flesh the Canary drum is a valued commercial and sport fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Canary drum?

The Canary drum has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Canary drum live?

The Canary drum lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Canary drum get?

The Canary drum grows to a maximum of about 80 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Canary drum dangerous to humans?

No, the Canary drum is harmless to humans.

Is the Canary drum edible?

Yes, the Canary drum is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Canarische ombervis inferred
English name
Canary drum verified
Scientific name
Umbrina canariensis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Baardman; Canary drum verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
27.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met zeepier, garnaal of schelpdier boven zandbodems; een gewaardeerde vangst sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Umbrina

More from the family Sciaenidae

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