Protosciaena is a small genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the familySciaenidae, the drums and croakers. These fishes are found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Protosciaena drums have rhomboidal to elongate, conmpressed bodies with large eyes and a large mouth opening to the front. The chin has no barbels and 5 pores. The preoperculum is serrated and there is a deep incision separating the first spiny part of the dorsal fin from the rear, largely soft-rayed part. The dorsal fin is supported by a total of 11 spines and 21 to 23 soft rays. The short based anal fin is supported by 2 spines and 7 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly pointed.[7] Of the two species in the genus, the largest is P. bathytatos with a maximum published total length of 42 cm (17 in) while P. trewavasae has a maximum published total length of 20 cm (7.9 in).[6]
Distribution
Protosciaena drums are endemic to the Greater Caribbean.[7]