Fin's Fish Guide
The Thinlip grey mullet (Liza ramada) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 70 cm.
Eastern Atlantic from the British Isles to West Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, in coastal waters and estuaries.
Description
The thinlip grey mullet is a slender mullet of the family Mugilidae reaching about 70 cm. The elongate, silvery-grey body has faint grey longitudinal stripes, a thin upper lip and often a dark spot at the pectoral-fin base, distinguishing it from other mullets. The species lives in schools in coastal waters, harbours and estuaries of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean and ascends far up rivers into fresh water. It grazes organic silt, diatoms, algae and small bottom animals from the bottom and surfaces, sieving them with fine gill rakers. The thinlip grey mullet is a valued sport and food fish known as shy and hard to catch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Thinlip grey mullet?
The Thinlip grey mullet is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender mullet with a thin upper lip and a dark blotch at the pectoral fin base; migrates far up the rivers into fresh water.
Where does the Thinlip grey mullet live?
The Thinlip grey mullet lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic from the British Isles to West Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, in coastal waters and estuaries.
How big does the Thinlip grey mullet get?
The Thinlip grey mullet grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.
Is the Thinlip grey mullet dangerous to humans?
No, the Thinlip grey mullet is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Thinlip grey mullet edible?
Yes, the Thinlip grey mullet is commonly eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Thinlip grey mullet and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Liza
More from the family Mugilidae
Want the complete picture on the Thinlip grey mullet?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Thinlip grey mullet is one of 12,519 species in the app.