Home · Mugilidae · Hornlip mullet
Hornlip mullet (Oedalechilus labiosus) — Mugilidae

Hornlip mullet

Oedalechilus labiosus
Family: Mugilidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Hornlip mullet (Oedalechilus labiosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–3 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The hornlip mullet is a mullet from the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea to the Marshall Islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, olive body with a silvery belly and notably thickened lips. It forms schools at the surface of shallow reef flats and lagoons, often near freshwater inflow, and feeds on detritus and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and is used among other things as live bait. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hornlip mullet?

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

Where does the Hornlip mullet live?

The Hornlip mullet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Hornlip mullet get?

The Hornlip mullet grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Hornlip mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Hornlip mullet is harmless to humans.

Is the Hornlip mullet edible?

The Hornlip mullet is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dikkliphardervis verified
English name
Hornlip mullet verified
Scientific name
Oedalechilus labiosus
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Thicklip mullet sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Max depth (m)
3 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met plantaardig aas of deegaas op een bodem- of dobbermontage. inferred
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 Oedalechilus

More from the family Mugilidae

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