Shi Drum

The Shi Drum, which is also frequently known as the Bearded Umbrine, or Umbrine, or Coastal Umbrine, is one of the most beautiful and sought-after fish of the Sciaenidae family. It is an intelligent, strong, and suspicious bottom fish that stands out for its elegant appearance. The body is silver-green on the back and silver-white on the belly, with iridescent reflections. The most striking feature is the golden wavy oblique lines that run across its sides, giving it a unique look.

On its lower jaw, it bears a small and fleshy protrusion that looks like a little beard and is full of sensory organs. In certain regions, its name refers to the powerful teeth in its pharynx, which function like millstones and allow it to crush hard shells. It also has a characteristic dark spot on the back part of the gill cover.

It lives primarily in coastal waters with sandy or muddy bottoms but also in areas with mixed ground near rocks and Posidonia meadows. The depth at which it moves usually ranges from a few metres to 100 metres. It is a fish that loves river estuaries and murky waters. It often approaches the coast after heavy rainfall or rough seas to seek food in the stirred waters where it feels safer.

The animal is a carnivorous fish that feeds exclusively on the bottom. It uses its sensitive barbel to detect food hidden inside the sand. Its diet mainly consists of worms and molluscs such as razor clams and cockles, along with crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, and echinoderms. Once it identifies the prey, it sucks it in and breaks it with its pharyngeal teeth.

Reproduction takes place during the warm months of the year. In the Mediterranean, this period usually runs from May to August, with the peak in June and July. The eggs are pelagic, and young individuals often enter river estuaries to feed and grow.

It is considered one of the most choice catches. For recreational fishers, it is the ultimate target in shore surfcasting, especially on beaches with waves or turbidity. It is also caught professionally with nets and longlines. The meat is of exceptional quality, white, firm-textured, and wonderfully flavoured, and it has very high commercial value in the market.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Shi Drum as Vulnerable in the Mediterranean due to overfishing and the degradation of its coastal habitats. Scientific studies have shown that fish in this family can produce drumming sounds by using specialised muscles that strike against their swim bladders. This behaviour mainly occurs during the breeding season to communicate with one another. Furthermore, it has been established that it is a species with relatively slow growth and a long life span.