Spotted drum

Equetus punctatus

The spotted drum or spotted ribbonfish , is a species of marine fish in the family Sciaenidae.

The spotted drum is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the occidental Atlantic Ocean from south Florida to Brazil including by the way the Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

It is frequently observed during the day under ledges or near the opening of small caves, at depths between 3 and 30 metres , where it swims in repetitive patterns. A nocturnal feeder, it leaves the protection of its daily shelter at night to feed mainly on small crustaceans and Polychaete worms.
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderPerciformes
FamilySciaenidae
GenusEquetus
SpeciesE. punctatus