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Fantail mullet (Mugil trichodon) — Mugilidae

Fantail mullet

Mugil trichodon
Family: Mugilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fantail mullet (Mugil trichodon) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The fantail mullet is a mullet of the family Mugilidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 46 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body. As a euryhaline species it occurs in coastal waters, brackish lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers, sometimes even in fresh water. With its small mouth it grazes small algae and other organic matter from soft bottoms and the sediment. Mullets often form schools and are important prey for predatory fishes and seabirds. The eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive. The fantail mullet is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fantail mullet?

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

Where does the Fantail mullet live?

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

How big does the Fantail mullet get?

The Fantail mullet grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Fantail mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Fantail mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Fantail mullet edible?

The Fantail mullet is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Waaierstaartharder sourced
English name
Fantail mullet verified
Scientific name
Mugil trichodon
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Fantail mullet verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water 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
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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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