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Bluespot mullet (Moolgarda seheli) — Mugilidae

Bluespot mullet

Moolgarda seheli
Family: Mugilidae

The Bluespot mullet (Moolgarda seheli) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bluespot mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a bluish spot at the base of the pectoral fin, to which the name refers. It lives in schools in coastal waters, lagoons and estuaries and sometimes enters river mouths. With its inferior mouth it scrapes and sifts detritus, diatoms, algae and small bottom animals from the sediment. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespot mullet?

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

Where does the Bluespot mullet live?

The Bluespot mullet lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bluespot mullet get?

The Bluespot mullet grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Bluespot mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluespot mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluespot mullet edible?

Yes, the Bluespot mullet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwvlek-harder sourced
English name
Bluespot mullet sourced
Scientific name
Moolgarda seheli
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Bluespot gray mullet; Bluespot grey mullet; Bluespot mullet sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
40.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 sourced
Max depth (m)
3.0 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
Fishing method
Wordt met kieuwnetten, ringnetten en fuiken in kustwateren bevist. 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 Moolgarda

More from the family Mugilidae

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