| Family: |
Mugilidae (Mullets) |
| Max. size: |
60 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: east coast of Africa, south to Eastern Cape in South Africa (Ref. 52193), including Madagascar, Seychelles, Rodriguez; north to Sri Lanka and India (except Bay of Bengal), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, east to Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Japan, Marshall and Tuamoto islands, Melanesia and Polynesia (Ref. 2830). Distribution includes the Red Sea (Ref. 84159) and Persian Gulf (Ref. 66734). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Description: No adipose eyelids; upper jaw, maxilla, exposed when mouth shut (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 5 spines and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; origin of anal fin in advance of origin of second dorsal fin (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral series 33-35 (Ref. 52193). With rudimentary axillary scale (Ref. 9812). Colouration: Greenish-grey dorsally; flanks and abdomen silvery; fins grey or bluish with dusky margins and may appear yellowish at base (Ref. 9812). Pectoral fin with golden base, and perhaps a dark spot (Ref. 9812). |
| Biology: |
Occur in shallow coastal waters, and from brackish water to freshwater regions of rivers (Ref. 41299). Form schools (Ref. 40448); in larger aggregations during spawning, which takes place at sea (Ref. 2830). Feed on small algae, diatoms, forams, benthic polychaetes, crustaceans, mollusks, organic matter and detritus; fry feed on copepods and floating algae (Ref. 40448). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Caught mainly during the spawning season and is sold fresh; the roe is highly appreciated. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 September 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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