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Fairy mullet (Agonostomus telfairii) — Mugilidae

Fairy mullet

Agonostomus telfairii
Family: Mugilidae

The Fairy mullet (Agonostomus telfairii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 75 cm.

Length
75 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The fairy mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) of islands in the western Indian Ocean, such as Madagascar and the Mascarenes. The species grows to about 75 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body. Unlike most mullets it lives mainly in fresh and brackish water of rivers and streams and migrates to sea to spawn. It eats insects, small crustaceans, algae and detritus. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fairy mullet?

The Fairy mullet has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Fairy mullet live?

The Fairy mullet lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Fairy mullet get?

The Fairy mullet grows to a maximum of about 75 cm.

Is the Fairy mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Fairy mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Fairy mullet edible?

Yes, the Fairy mullet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Feeën-harder sourced
English name
Fairy mullet sourced
Scientific name
Agonostomus telfairii
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Agonostomus

More from the family Mugilidae

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