Equetus punctatus

Equetus punctatus, commonly known as the Spotted drum, is medium-sized fish from the drums and croaker family. These fish are cream-white with as juveniles 3 broad black stripes. 2 over the head and one from the tip of the dorsal fin to the tip of the caudal fin. As they mature they develop more (thinner) lines on their body and the lines often get a little more brown. The dorsal, caudal and anal fin become fully spotted.

They can be a bit shy in the beginning and also picky with eating, but live food usually triggers them to come out and eat. In nature they feed mainly on small shrimps, crabs and bristle worms, so try food like brine shrimps and mysis when they're not eating well. Later on you can wean them on frozen food and if you're lucky maybe even dry food. Once settled, these fish aren't shy at all anymore and can help to keep your bristle worm population under control. Be careful with small ornamental shrimps though!