📖 Overview
Coastal species . Inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms . Juveniles may occur in littoral areas. Feeds on shrimps, worms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates . Sold fresh .
Scientific Name
Umbrina ronchus
Authority
Valenciennes, 1843
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 26; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 7. Juveniles brown with narrow oblique wavy stripes, becoming obscure with age .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Fusca drum is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 200 m . Subtropical; 43°N - 36°S, 19°W - 56°E east coast of Africa to the Persian Gulf.
🌍 Native Range
3 countries
Mozambique
Spain
Tanzania
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
⬇️ Benthic
Food Items
shrimps, worms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00912 × L3.08
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Data Deficient
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
36.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Latitude Range
43°N
–
36°S
Described By
Valenciennes, 1843
🎣 Angling Guide
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing
popping cork
soft plastics
live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp
cut mullet
soft plastic paddle-tails
popping corks
Recommended Tackle
medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
30-50 lb braid
fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
grass flats
oyster bars
marsh drains
deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
Regulations Summary
⚠️
Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Fusca drum is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age Firm flesh that springs back when pressed Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
Cloudy or sunken eyes Strong fishy or ammonia odour Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking
Grilling
Pan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutrient
Amount
Protein
19.7 g
Omega-3 (total)
322 mg
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Fusca drum has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy 90 kcal
Moisture 80 %
Protein 18 %
Total Fat 1.2 %
Ash 1.2 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4 g
Omega-3 Total 0.3 g
EPA 0.08 g
DHA 0.15 g
Omega-6 Total 0.05 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium 18 mg
Iron 0.4 mg
Magnesium 30 mg
Phosphorus 200 mg
Potassium 380 mg
Sodium 60 mg
Zinc 0.4 mg
Selenium 30 µg
Vitamin B6 0.3 mg
Vitamin B12 1 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
Year
Region
Index
Notes
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-
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🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed
.