# Red Mullet (*Mullus surmuletus*) Red Mullet is a colorful fish with a bright red color. They are known for their sweet, delicious taste! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Shallow coastal waters - **Also known as:** Striped Mullet, Surmullet ![Red Mullet](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/96b5dcb63a478c9919a43c2689d2fb4126ee894b7a485c1e876d94220a76c5a3/image-560x560/w-560.webp) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Mullidae - **Genus:** Mullus ## 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 - **Color Changer:** Red Mullet can rapidly change its skin color to blend in with its surroundings, helping it hide from predators. - **Bottom Stirrer:** 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 - **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red Mullet? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red Mullet? 15-40 cm ### How much does Red Mullet weigh? 0.1-1 kg ### How long does Red Mullet live? 5-10 years ### What does Red Mullet eat? These bottom-dwellers use their special whiskers to find worms and small crustaceans on the seafloor. ### How fast can Red Mullet swim? 20 km/h ### Where is Red Mullet usually found? Shallow coastal waters ### How does Red Mullet hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Red Mullet: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-mullet)