2011/02/08
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Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
General
Conservation
Distribution
Photo Gallery
References
General Information
Mugil cephalus
Grey mullet
Animal Group:
Freshwater Fish
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Mugilidae
Other Common Name(s):
Striped mullet
Description:
The Grey Mullet has a cylindrical and elongated body with a blunt snout and a small upturned mouth and adipose eyelid. The two dorsal fins are well-separated. The first dorsal fin is longer and has four obvious spines. The pectoral fins are short (not reaching the first dorsal fin) and placed high on back. It has a bluish-grey or greenish back which becomes silvery on the sides. There are 6-7 indistinct black horizontal stripes along its body.
Conservation Status
AFCD Assessment
Common
Distribution
Distribution in Hong Kong
Widespread in estuaries and marine environment in Hong Kong
Global Distribution
Widespread in coastal waters of the tropical and subtropical areas, inlucding China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. The grey mullet is a popular foodfish and widely cultured in southeast Asia.
Photo Gallery
References
More on Freshwater Fish in HK
Chen I.S. and Fang L.S. (1999).
The Freshwater and Estuarine Fishes of Taiwan
(in Chinese). National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Pingtung.
Lam, K. S. (2002).
Freshwater Fish in Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.
Lee, V. L. F., Lam, S. K. S., Ng, F. K. Y., Chan, T. K. T. and Young, M. L. C. (2004).
Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong
