Here's why:
* Diet: Freshwater drums are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes:
* Insects: They are known to eat a wide variety of insects, including larvae, beetles, and flies.
* Crustaceans: They consume small crustaceans like crayfish and shrimp.
* Mollusks: Freshwater drums will eat snails and mussels.
* Fish: They will also prey on smaller fish, especially young ones.
* Plants: They consume algae and other aquatic vegetation.
Since they obtain their energy and nutrients by eating other organisms, they are classified as consumers.