Spotted drum
Equetus punctatus
Sighting evidence at Blowing Rock, Corn Islands
The spotted drum is one of the most visually arresting small fish on Caribbean reefs, with a dramatically elongated dorsal fin ribbon and bold monochrome spotting. Strictly nocturnal feeders on small invertebrates, they spend daylight hours in repetitive figure-eight swimming patterns beneath ledges and overhangs — a behaviour thought to be territorial display. Juveniles have even more exaggerated fin proportions that shorten as the fish matures.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Spotted drum is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.