Golden grey mullet
📖 Overview
Adults are neritic usually in schools, entering lagoons and lower estuaries ; rarely entering freshwater . Juveniles move to coastal lagoons and estuaries in winter and especially in spring . They feed on small benthic organisms, detritus, and occasionally on insects and plankton . Juveniles feed only on zooplankton . Reproduction takes place in the sea, from July to November. Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive . Minimum size allowed for fishing is 20 cm. The quality of the flesh is variable .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 3. Longer pectoral fins, lack of black spot at the pectoral fin base. Golden spot present in gill cover .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Golden grey mullet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Juveniles move to coastal lagoons and estuaries in winter and especially in spring .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; catadromous ; depth range 10 - 20 m . Temperate; 64°N - 20°N, 26°W - 42°E North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Biscay, Western Africa and offshore islands including the Canaries, Azores and Madeira; the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
🌿 Ecology
small benthic organisms, detritus, and occasionally on insects and plankton (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Chelon Auratus is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 1,210 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Golden grey mullet has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Golden grey mullet ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.