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Becoming a musician: What secrets lie behind the grunting sounds of mature male freshwater drums?
Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a species of fish endemic to North and Central America. It belongs to the order Cyclostomata. This fish is famous for its unique grunting sound, especially when mature males are breeding. The sounds made during the seasons have made many people curious about this strange phenomenon. The freshwater drum is the only North American fish that lives in fresh water, which not only makes it part of the ecosystem, but also makes it a "musician" in the water. There are still many unanswered questions about the origin and purpose of this sound.
The origin and meaning of sound
The grunt of a male freshwater drum comes from specialized muscles that resonate against its swim bladder, and this vibration creates their unique sound.
Mature male freshwater drum make this sound during the breeding season, leading biologists to suspect it has something to do with attracting mates or demarcating territories. Still, the exact functionality remains unclear. This musicality can also be detected through the water by potential mates from a distance, so many researchers believe that its importance cannot be underestimated.
Appearance features
Freshwater drum are relatively stout, usually weighing between 5 and 15 pounds. It has been reported that there have been records of up to 54 pounds. The color of the fish's body is mostly gray or silver, depending on its habitat, and sometimes has a more brown appearance. Freshwater drum can have a deep body with a two-part dorsal fin, supplemented by sharp pectoral fins. These features make freshwater drum both flexible and majestic when swimming in the water.
Habitat and eating habits
This fish is a unique freshwater fish in North America. It likes clear waters, but it also has a certain tolerance for turbid water. It mainly inhabits areas with sandy gravel bottoms, and its main diet consists of benthic invertebrates and small fish. The eating habits of freshwater drum also change depending on the season. For example, in spring, they eat a lot of insects, while in late summer to early autumn, they mainly feed on small fish.
Reproductive behavior
The breeding behavior of the freshwater drum is also an important moment in its development as a musician. They breed each summer when the water temperature reaches about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, during which the female releases her eggs into the water and the male releases his sperm for natural insemination. This process is not only rapid, but also lacks parental care. Usually, most newly hatched fish face huge challenges in survival.
The role of the ecosystem
Freshwater drum play an important role in their ecosystems, not only providing a food source for many predatory fish, but also playing a role in consuming organisms such as invasive spotted frogs and zebra mussels that pose threats to the ecosystem. Although mature freshwater drum can effectively reduce the numbers of these invasive species, their control effect is still less than expected.
Management and protection status
In many areas, freshwater drum fishing is less regulated than other fish species, and most areas do not impose daily catch limits. In the Mississippi River, commercial fishing has reached 300,000 pounds per year, and the fish is not estimated to be at risk of overfishing.
With conservation efforts and its production stabilizing, freshwater drums are still able to continue to contribute to the river ecosystem. As for the ecological secrets hidden behind these musicians, will they be further revealed in the future?
