| Family: |
Mugilidae (Mullets) |
| Max. size: |
41 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific (Ref. 4393), including African east coast river estuaries as far south as Algoa Bay, South Africa (Ref. 52193). Recorded as far inland as Zimbabwe on the Save River (Ref. 52193). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Body spear-shaped from side and wedge-shaped in cross-section (Ref. 52193). Head obtusely pointed; eyes latero-ventral more visible from below; mouth terminal; maxilla exposed when shut, upper jaw notched for median process on lower jaw, posterior tip of upper jaw hidden when mouth closed; lips thin; teeth small, villiform; eyes lateral with well developed adipose eyelids (Ref. 2109, 52193). Dorsal fin with 4 spines, 2 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; scaly process at base of first dorsal fin; origin of second dorsal fin behind origin of anal fin; pectoral fins set at declined angle to body, 86-97% of head length, reaching beyond eye when folded forward, and reaching below origin of first dorsal fin with axillary scale nearly half the length of fin (Ref. 2109, 52193). Scales in lateral series 30-43, scales with membranous digitated hind margin (Ref. 2109). Colouration: Colour greenish-grey dorsally, sides silvery; second dorsal and anal fin with black margins (Ref. 9812). Faint longitudinal stripes along upper scale rows (Ref. 52193). |
| Biology: |
Occur in shallow coastal waters, including estuaries and backwaters, frequently enters freshwater. Form larger aggregations during spawning which takes place at sea. Young individuals enter tidal rivers. Feed on organic matter contained in sand and mud (Ref. 30573). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh and salted. Decays rapidly, but well liked when fresh. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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