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Acute-jawed mullet (Neomyxus leuciscus) — Mugilidae

Acute-jawed mullet

Neomyxus leuciscus
Family: Mugilidae

The Acute-jawed mullet (Neomyxus leuciscus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–4.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The acute-jawed mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, including around Hawaii. The species reaches about 46 cm and has a streamlined, silvery-grey body with a tapering lower jaw. It inhabits sandy shores, tide pools and rocky surge areas and forms schools. By day it grazes seaweeds and algae, supplemented with small crustaceans; at night it moves to surface waters. Reproduction is by pelagic, non-adhesive eggs. The species is a valued food fish and is regularly caught in coastal fisheries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Acute-jawed mullet?

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

Where does the Acute-jawed mullet live?

The Acute-jawed mullet lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Acute-jawed mullet get?

The Acute-jawed mullet grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Acute-jawed mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Acute-jawed mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Acute-jawed mullet edible?

Yes, the Acute-jawed mullet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitskaak-harder sourced
English name
Acute-jawed mullet verified
Scientific name
Neomyxus leuciscus
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Acute-jawed mullet; False mullet; Mullet; Sharpnose mullet verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 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
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
4.0 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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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