Pogonias cromis
Pogonias cromis
(Black Drum)
Marine Fishes
Native Transplant
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
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Pogonias cromis (Linnaeus, 1766)
Common name: Black Drum
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Manooch (1984); Robins and Ray (1986); Hoese and Moore (1998).
Size: 170 cm.
Native Range: Marine. Nova Scotia to northern Mexico, including south Florida; also southern Brazil to Argentina (Robins and Ray 1986).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Pogonias cromis are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
NM19901990*
TX195519925East Galveston Bay; Lower Colorado-Cummins; Lower Pecos-Red Bluff Reservoir; Middle Brazos-Lake Whitney; Upper San Antonio

Table last updated 3/28/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.

* HUCs are not listed for states where the observation(s) cannot be approximated to a HUC (e.g. state centroids or Canadian provinces).
Means of Introduction: Black drum was stocked in 1976 and 1977 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Texas reservoirs (Howells and Garrett 1992).
Status: The stocking attempts failed to establish reproducing populations in Texas. The species is extirpated in New Mexico.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
Remarks: Sublette et al. (1990) included this species in their list of "fishes introduced into New Mexico, now considered extirpated." However, the authors provided no additional information.
References: (click for full references)

Hoese, H.D. and R.H. Moore. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters. 2nd Edition. Texas A & M University Press, College Station, TX.

Howells, R.G., and G.P. Garrett. 1992. Status of some exotic sport fishes in Texas waters. Texas Journal of Science 44(3):317-324.

Manooch, C.S. 1984. Fisherman's guide, fishes of the southwestern United States. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC.

Robins, C.R., and G.C. Ray. 1986. A field guide to Atlantic Coast fishes of North America. The Peterson Guide Series, volume 32. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Sublette, J.E., M.D. Hatch, and M. Sublette. 1990. The fishes of New Mexico. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM. 393 pp.

Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author: Fuller, P.
Revision Date: 3/3/2020
Peer Review Date: 9/13/2011

Citation Information:
Fuller, P., 2025, Pogonias cromis (Linnaeus, 1766): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=958, Revision Date: 3/3/2020, Peer Review Date: 9/13/2011, Access Date: 3/28/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [3/28/2025].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.



Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.



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