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Common mullet (Mugil incilis) — Mugilidae

Common mullet

Mugil incilis
Family: Mugilidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The parassi mullet (Mugil incilis) is a mullet of the family Mugilidae from coastal waters of northern and eastern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery, torpedo-shaped body and reaches about 40 cm. It lives mainly in brackish estuaries, but also in the sea and even in hypersaline waters. With its ventral mouth it grazes detritus, algae and small bottom organisms from the bottom. For reproduction the fish gather in small groups at the mouth of coastal rivers and creeks; spawning occurs early in the year and the pelagic, non-adhesive eggs are rich in yolk. The species is of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common mullet?

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

Where does the Common mullet live?

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

How big does the Common mullet get?

The Common mullet grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Common mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Common mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Common mullet edible?

The Common mullet is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Aarder sourced
English name
Common mullet verified
Scientific name
Mugil incilis
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Grey mullet; Mullet; Parassi Mullet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
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
Rarely 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

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