ExploreFish

Red Mullet

Mullus surmuletus

Red Mullet is a colorful fish with a bright red color. They are known for their sweet, delicious taste!

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters

Appearance

The Red Mullet has an elongated body covered in large, often reddish-pink scales, sometimes with subtle yellow stripes. It is easily recognized by its two prominent, whisker-like barbels beneath its chin, which are lighter in color.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyMullidaeGenusMullus

Red Mullet

Interesting facts

Red Mullet can change its colors quickly, like a mood ring!

Their scientific name, Mullus, is ancient Latin for 'mullet,' referring to its reddish scales.

These fish are famous for making grunting sounds, especially when caught by fishers!

They 'taste' the seafloor with barbels, sensing tiny creatures hidden in the sand.

Special abilities

Red Mullet can rapidly change its skin color to blend in with its surroundings, helping it hide from predators.

Red Mullet has strong head muscles that help them dig into the sand and mud to find tasty buried snacks.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-40 cm
Weight: 0.1-1 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Swim Speed: 20 km/h
Max Depth: 120 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

These bottom-dwellers use their special whiskers to find worms and small crustaceans on the seafloor.

Primary Foods

polychaete worms
small crustaceans
bivalve molluscs
tiny fish

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

A common predator in their coastal habitats.

eaten by

Bottlenose dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Part of the diet for these intelligent marine mammals.

hunts

Ragworm

Nereis diversicolor

A favorite meal, found hidden in the sand.

hunts

Common shrimp

Crangon crangon

Searches for these small crustaceans buried in sediment.

Traits

Wildlife

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Colorful

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Piscivorous

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Coastal

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