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Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae

Bluetail mullet

Valamugil buchanani
Family: Mugilidae

The Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 50 cm.

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

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Description

The bluetail mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a bluish tinge on the tail and a small mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it roots in soft bottoms of bays and river mouths and eats algae, detritus and small invertebrates. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluetail mullet?

The Bluetail mullet is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bluetail mullet live?

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

How big does the Bluetail mullet get?

The Bluetail mullet grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Bluetail mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluetail 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

Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Heinrich Human, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae — 4
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae — 5
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluetail mullet sourced
Scientific name
Valamugil buchanani
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Blue-tail mullet; Buchanan's blue-tail mullet; Mullet; Blue tail mullet; Buchanan's mullet

Appearance

Size class
Large
Max length (cm)
50 sourced
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 Valamugil

More from the family Mugilidae

Fin

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