Home · Mugilidae · Flathead mullet
Flathead mullet (Chelon planiceps) — Mugilidae

Flathead mullet

Chelon planiceps
Family: Mugilidae

The Flathead mullet (Chelon planiceps) is a brackish-water fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The flathead mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a fairly broad, flattened head. It inhabits coastal waters and estuaries and forms schools in shallow water. On the bottom it takes in silt and growth and sifts out diatoms, algae, detritus and small invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead mullet?

The Flathead mullet is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Flathead mullet live?

The Flathead mullet lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flathead mullet get?

The Flathead mullet grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 42 cm.

Is the Flathead mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Flathead mullet edible?

Yes, the Flathead mullet is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-harder sourced
English name
Flathead mullet sourced
Scientific name
Chelon planiceps
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
42.0 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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
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 Chelon

More from the family Mugilidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →