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Greenback mullet (Chelon subviridis) — Mugilidae

Greenback mullet

Chelon subviridis
Family: Mugilidae

The Greenback mullet (Chelon subviridis) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The greenback mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a greenish back, to which the name refers. It lives in schools in coastal waters, lagoons and estuaries and sometimes enters river mouths. With its inferior mouth it scrapes and sifts detritus, diatoms, algae and small bottom animals from the sediment. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenback mullet?

The Greenback mullet is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Greenback mullet live?

The Greenback mullet is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Greenback mullet get?

The Greenback mullet grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Greenback mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenback mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Greenback mullet edible?

Yes, the Greenback mullet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groenrug-harder sourced
English name
Greenback mullet sourced
Scientific name
Chelon subviridis
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met kieuwnetten, ringnetten en fuiken in kustwateren bevist. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chelon

More from the family Mugilidae

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