Critter Catalog

The drums and croakers family has 270 species found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They are recognized by their long dorsal fin, which extends the length of their back and has a deep notch between the front and rear sections of the fin. The front part of this dorsal fin is usually stiffened with bony rays and the rear part is softer and more flexible. They have large pores in the lower jaw and have a swim bladder (an organ used in maintaining buoyancy in fish) that is often used to make sounds. Fish in this family are usually bottom-dwelling fish that eat fish and aquatic invertebrates.