Drums And Croakers

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Dorsal fin long, having a deep notch between the spinous and soft-rayed parts, but the parts rarely separate. Spinous part with 6-13 spines; the soft-rayed part with 1 spine and usually 20-35 soft rays. Anal fin having 1 or 2 usually weak spines; soft rays 6-13. Lateral line reaching end of caudal fin. Slightly emarginate to rounded caudal fin. Opercle with the upper bony edge forked. Gill opening with a bony flap above it. Some species with 1 barbel or a patch of small barbels on chin. Large cavernous canals in head. Snout and lower jaw with conspicuous pores. Vomer and palatine toothless. Swim bladder usually having many branches and used as a resonating chamber. Exceptionally large otoliths. Vertebrae 24-29. In shallow waters.