Home · Mugilidae · Abu mullet
Abu mullet (Liza abu) — Mugilidae

Abu mullet

Liza abu
Family: Mugilidae

The Abu mullet (Liza abu) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Behaviour
Schooling
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Want the complete picture on the Abu mullet?

Get the app

Description

The Abu mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from rivers, lakes and brackish water of the Tigris and Euphrates system and adjacent southwest Asia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body with a blunt head and a small mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims in schools and rasps algae, biofilm and detritus from the bottom and takes fine organic matter. It is locally an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Abu mullet?

The Abu mullet is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Abu mullet live?

The Abu mullet is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Abu mullet get?

The Abu mullet grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Abu mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Abu mullet is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Abu mullet (Liza abu) — Mugilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) alihaydar3521, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Abu mullet (Liza abu) — Mugilidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) زين _النجم, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Abu mullet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Abu mullet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Abu mullet sourced
Scientific name
Liza abu
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
25 inferred
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Liza

More from the family Mugilidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Abu mullet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Abu mullet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Abu mullet? Get the app