Aplodinotus Grunniens Also Known As The Freshwater Drum, The Sheephead, The Sunfish, Russell Fish, Shepherd's

Aplodinotus grunniens also known as the freshwater drum, the sheephead, the sunfish, Russell fish, shepherd's pie, gray bass, Gasper goo, Gaspergou, gou, grunt, grunter, grinder, gooble gobble, and croaker is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus and is a member of the family Sciaenidae which is endemic to the lakes and rivers of North and Central America from the Appalachians in the east to the Rockies in the west and from as far North as Canada to as far south as Guatemala. Freshwater drum tend to prefer clear waters with a sand or gravel bottom but can also be found in turbid and murky waters with clay bottoms. The freshwater drums diet is typically comprised of insects, smaller fish, crustaceans, and various mollusks: in particular bivalves such as clams and mussels. Freshwater drum are themselves eaten by otters, alligators, crocodiles turtles, bears, marten, various birds, aquatic snakes, and larger fish such as bass, walleye, musky, burbot, sauger, pike, and gar. Most freshwater drum are typically around 12 to 20 inches (30 to 51cms) in length and around 5–15lbs (2.3–6.8 kgs) in weight, however the world record was a drum reaching a wopping 39 inches (99cms) and 54.5lbs (24.7kgs) in weight. The freshwater drum is a deep-bodied fish which may range in color from silvery grey to a deep brownish bronze. The head and body slope upward from the snout to the dorsal fins and give the fish a distinct humpbacked appearance. The lips are milky white, and the pelvic fins are white, often tinged with orange. The dorsal fin is long and is divided into two distinct parts consisting of 10 spines and 29–32 rays. During the summer, freshwater drums move into warm, shallow water that is less than 33 ft (10 m) deep. The freshwater drum then spawn during a six to seven-week period from June through July when the water reaches a temperature of about 65 °F (18 °C). During the spawn, females release 34,000 to 66,500 eggs into the water column and males release their sperm. Fertilization is random. Males generally reach sexual maturity at four years, whereas females reach maturity at five or six years. Under ideal conditions a freshwater drum may live upwards of 70 years.