Pogonias fasciatus subsequently came to be regarded as a junior synonym of Linnaeus’ Labrus chromis.

[5] Pogonias means "bearded" and is an allusion to the may barbels on the chin of the type species.

[6] There are currently two described species:[1][7] Pogonias drums are characterised by having rhomboidal, compressed bodies, with a low head and an almost horizontal mouth located beneath the snout.

The short pectoral fin does not extend as far as the anus,[9] These are large fishes with the maximum published total length of the black drum being 170 cm (67 in) and its maximum published weight being 51.3 kg (113 lb).

They are demersal coastal fishes which live on sandy or muudy bottoms and use estuaries as nursery areas.