Species Watersheds
The Print The house
0
Plate 014Sciaenops ocellatusGulf Coast

What is the black spot near the tail?

A false eye, most likely. The long-standing explanation is that a predator strikes the spot, expecting the head, and the fish escapes forward. Some drum carry several spots. A few carry none.

  • Field marksOne or more black ocelli near the base of the tail. Copper flank.
  • SizeCoastal fish reach well over a metre.
  • WaterMarsh flats, Gulf Coast
  • Verified byA working naturalist. Named in full on the colophon.

Available as

The Print
$48
Screen printed on cotton rag, A3, unframed. This plate.
The Deck
$42
Plate 014 of 24. Waterproof stock, in a tin. Meant to get wet.