| Family: |
Mugilidae (Mullets) |
| Max. size: |
75 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa south to Algoa Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4393); Madagascar, northern Australia (Timor Sea), New Guinea and Tonga (Ref. 9812). Also reported from the Marquesas (Ref. 12792) and from the lower Zambezi River in Africa (Ref. 39494). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Adipose eyelids feeble; tongue notched in front; lips thin, lower edentate, upper with 2 rows recurved teeth; teeth on pterygoid and tongue, none on palatines and vomer; preorbital slightly emarginate, denticulate and truncate behind (Ref. 4393). First dorsal fin with 4 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; pectoral fin with 16 rays; second dorsal fin and anal fin falcate; pelvic fin about as long as pectoral fin in adults, shorter in juveniles; pectoral fin folded forward reaches front of eye or beyond (Ref. 4393). Scales on lateral line 29-32; scaly process at first dorsal-fin base 6.0-6.7 times in predorsal distance; no pectoral axillary scale (Ref. 4393). Colouration: Scale margins dark, especially dorsally, giving the dull grey body the characteristic reticulate appearance; pelvic fins bright yellow or orange (Ref. 4393). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit coastal waters, estuaries; sometimes ascending rivers into fresh water (Ref. 9812). They prefer slow moving waters or still lagoons (Ref. 9812). Often found in turbid water, over muddy substrates, and with well-substantiated aquatic vegetation (Ref. 9812). They feed on microalgae, detritus, terrestrial plant material, and aquatic insects (Ref. 9812). Perhaps catadromous (Ref. 9812). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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