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Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) — Mugilidae

Kanda mullet

Moolgarda engeli
Family: Mugilidae

The Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The kanda mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a small mouth. It lives in schools in shallow coastal waters, lagoons and estuaries and tolerates brackish water. It grazes on the bottom and swallows mud, from which it sifts 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 Kanda mullet?

The Kanda mullet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Schooling mullet that swallows silt and sifts food from it; tolerates brackish water.

Where does the Kanda mullet live?

The Kanda mullet lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries.

How big does the Kanda mullet get?

The Kanda mullet grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Kanda mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Kanda mullet is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Kanda mullet edible?

Yes, the Kanda mullet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) — Mugilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) — Mugilidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) — Mugilidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Howard Friedman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanda mullet (Moolgarda engeli) — Mugilidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Kanda mullet sourced
Scientific name
Moolgarda engeli
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Kanda; Engel's mullet; Australian mullet; Englel's mullet; Marquesan mullet; Mullet; Summer mullet

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Diatoms, algae, detritus and small invertebrates from the silt sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Schooling mullet that swallows silt and sifts food from it; tolerates brackish water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Moolgarda

More from the family Mugilidae

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