WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Spotted Drum

Equetus punctatus

Also known as: Hardhead, Highhat, Highhat Drum, Jack-knife, Spotted Drumfish, Spotted Equetus, Spotted Ribbonfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2020
Adult
@fishx6 · Bonaire - Bachelors Beach, Caribbean Netherlands · November 20101 / 9
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Overview

Found singly and secretive, during the day close to small caves, around bases of corals and under ledges, dispersing at night, hunting for food, over coral and rocky reefs. Front dorsal fin becomes smaller with age.
They feed nocturnally on crabs, shrimps, and worms.

Drums are named for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make by beating their abdominal muscles against the swim bladder.

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How to identify

COLOURS

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 9
LIVES IN

Found singly and secretive, during the day close to small caves, around bases of corals and under ledges, dispersing at night, hunting for food, over coral and rocky reefs.

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Adult photos 9

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderEupercaria incertae sedis
    5. familySciaenidae
    6. genusEquetus
    7. speciesEquetus punctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Drums-Croakers (Sciaenidae)