Home · Mugilidae · Banana mullet
Banana mullet (Mugil bananensis) — Mugilidae

Banana mullet

Mugil bananensis
Family: Mugilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banana mullet (Mugil bananensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The banana mullet is a mullet of the family Mugilidae from the eastern Atlantic off the coast of West Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body typical of mullets. It inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, shallow marine areas and lagoons and tolerates very high salinities, far above that of seawater. With its small mouth it scrapes and filters phytoplankton, detritus and small bottom organisms from soft bottoms. Mullets often form large schools. The banana mullet is a locally valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banana mullet?

The Banana mullet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Banana mullet live?

The Banana mullet lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Banana mullet get?

The Banana mullet grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Banana mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Banana mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Banana mullet edible?

Yes, the Banana mullet is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bananenharder sourced
English name
Banana mullet verified
Scientific name
Mugil bananensis
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
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 Mugil

More from the family Mugilidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →