Editing Sciaenidae (section)

==Characteristics==
A sciaenid has a long [[dorsal fin]] reaching nearly to the tail, and a notch between the rays and spines of the dorsal, although the two parts are actually separate.<ref name=EoF>{{cite book |editor=Paxton, J.R. |editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.|author1=Johnson, G.D.  |author2=Gill, A.C. |name-list-style=amp |year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|page= 182|isbn= 978-0-12-547665-2}}</ref> Drums are somberly coloured, usually in shades of brown, with a lateral line on each side that extends to the tip of the caudal fin. The anal fin usually has two spines, while the dorsal fins are deeply notched or separate. Most species have a rounded or pointed caudal fin. The mouth is set low and is usually [[Anatomical terms of location#Superior and inferior|inferior]]. Their [[Sciaenidae#Croaking mechanism|croaking]] mechanism involves the beating of abdominal muscles against the [[swim bladder]].<ref name=EoF/>

Sciaenids are found worldwide, in both fresh and salt water, and are typically [[Benthic zone|benthic]] carnivores, feeding on [[invertebrate]]s and smaller fish. They are small to medium-sized, bottom-dwelling fishes living primarily in estuaries, bays, and muddy river banks. Most of these fish types avoid clear waters, such as coral reefs and oceanic islands, with a few notable exceptions (e.g. [[Odontoscion dentex|reef croaker]], [[Pareques acuminatus|high-hat]], and [[spotted drum]]). They live in warm-temperate and tropical waters and are best represented in major rivers in [[Southeast Asia]], northeast [[South America]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and the [[Gulf of California]].<ref name=EoF/>

In the United States most fishers consider freshwater drum to be [[rough fish]] not suitable for eating, similar to [[carp]], [[gar]], and [[buffalo fish]], although there are a number of people that enjoy fishing for these species and eating them, despite their limitations.<ref>
{{cite news 
| title = Why These Overlooked Fish May Be the Tastiest (and Most Sustainable) - WSJ 
| newspaper = Wall Street Journal 
| date = 20 March 2015 
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-it-comes-to-fish-one-chefs-trash-is-anothers-daily-special-1426870428 
| access-date = 2017-07-02 
 | last1 = Dunn 
| first1 = Elizabeth Gunnison 
}}
</ref>