Home · Mugilidae · Bluetail mullet
Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) — Mugilidae

Bluetail mullet

Valamugil buchanani
Family: Mugilidae

The Bluetail mullet (Valamugil buchanani) is a fish of the family Mugilidae that grows up to 50 cm.

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

Description

The bluetail mullet is a mullet (Mugilidae) from coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a bluish tinge on the tail and a small mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it roots in soft bottoms of bays and river mouths and eats algae, detritus and small invertebrates. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluetail mullet?

The Bluetail mullet is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bluetail mullet live?

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

How big does the Bluetail mullet get?

The Bluetail mullet grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Bluetail mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluetail mullet is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstaart-harder sourced
English name
Bluetail mullet sourced
Scientific name
Valamugil buchanani
Family
Mugilidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
50 sourced
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

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Valamugil

More from the family Mugilidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →