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Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) — Mugilidae

Thoburn's mullet

Xenomugil thoburni
Family: Mugilidae

The Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; Galapagos Islands and adjacent coasts.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Thoburn's mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from the eastern Pacific, particularly around the Galapagos Islands and adjacent coasts. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a pointed head. It forms schools in shallow coastal and rocky waters. On the bottom it takes in silt and growth and sifts out 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 Thoburn's mullet?

The Thoburn's mullet is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Schooling mullet of the Galapagos and adjacent coasts; bottom-sifting omnivore.

Where does the Thoburn's mullet live?

The Thoburn's mullet is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; Galapagos Islands and adjacent coasts.

How big does the Thoburn's mullet get?

The Thoburn's mullet grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Thoburn's mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Thoburn's mullet is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Thoburn's mullet edible?

Yes, the Thoburn's mullet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) — Mugilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Chaffee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) — Mugilidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Bill Levine, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) — Mugilidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Chaffee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Thoburn's mullet (Xenomugil thoburni) — Mugilidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Newman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Thoburn's mullet sourced
Scientific name
Xenomugil thoburni
Family
Mugilidae
Other names
Mullet; Orange-eye mullet

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; Galapagos Islands and adjacent coasts. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Diatoms, algae, detritus and small invertebrates 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 of the Galapagos and adjacent coasts; bottom-sifting omnivore. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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

More from the family Mugilidae

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