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Black spot mullet (Myxus elongatus) — Mugilidae

Black spot mullet

Myxus elongatus
Family: Mugilidae

The Black spot mullet (Myxus elongatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sand mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the temperate coastal waters of Australia. The species has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a more pointed head than most mullets. It forms schools in shallow coastal waters and the lower reaches of estuaries; in its first year it also occurs in fresh water, rarely thereafter. On the bottom it takes in silt and sifts out diatoms, detritus and small invertebrates. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black spot mullet?

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

Where does the Black spot mullet live?

The Black spot mullet lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Black spot mullet get?

The Black spot mullet grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black spot mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Black spot mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Black spot mullet edible?

Yes, the Black spot mullet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zandharder sourced
English name
Black spot mullet verified
Scientific name
Myxus elongatus
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Bully mullet; Lano; Poddy; Sand grey mullet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
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
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

More from the family Mugilidae

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