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Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) — Mugilidae

Shark mullet

Rhinomugil nasutus
Family: Mugilidae

The Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 30 cm.

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

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Description

The shark mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from turbid coastal, estuarine and river-mouth water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body with eyes set high on the head and a projecting, blunt snout. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims in schools at the surface and rasps algae, biofilm and detritus from the bottom and takes fine organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shark mullet?

The Shark mullet is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Shark mullet live?

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

How big does the Shark mullet get?

The Shark mullet grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Shark mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Shark 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

Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) — Mugilidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) — Mugilidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sam Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) — Mugilidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) EcoNeighbour_, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Shark mullet (Rhinomugil nasutus) — Mugilidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Pål A. Olsvik, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Shark mullet sourced
Scientific name
Rhinomugil nasutus
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Mud mullet; Popeye; Popeye mullet; Sharp-nosed mullet; Skipjack mullet

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
30 inferred
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 Rhinomugil

More from the family Mugilidae

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