Squaretail mullet
📖 Overview
Found in lagoons, reef flats, estuaries, and coastal creeks, in shallow coastal areas and protected sandy shores . Usually within tidal influence, but may enter fresh water, ascending 10 km into rivers . Forms large schools, frequently in mangrove areas . Juveniles may be found in rice fields and mangroves and may be used as bait fish . Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive . Feeds on phytoplankton, small algae and detritus organisms . Caught in cast nets, stake nets, beach seines, and gill nets; marketed fresh and salted; boiled (Thailand), canned or frozen (Australia). Roe also marketed salted and juveniles used as bait fish ..
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished by the following characters: robust body; usually with 16 pectoral-fin rays; 25-29 longitudinal scales; 16 circumpeduncular scales; weakly ctenoid scales; adults with longer snout than eye diameter, shorter in juvenile; poorly developed adipose eyelid, forming narrow rim around eye; weak notch on anteroventral edge of preorbital; truncate caudal fin; colour olive-brown dorsally, flanks and belly silvery to whitish; about 6 brownish stripes on flank formed by longitudinal marks on scales; fins yellowish white with dusky margins except caudal fin yellow and pectoral black dorsally and yellow ventrally (completely black in young); no axillary scale visible in the pectoral fins .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Squaretail mullet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; catadromous ; depth range 0 - 5 m . Tropical; 32°N - 24°S, 30°E - 141°W East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
phytoplankton, small algae and detritus organisms (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Squaretail mullet 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 | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 147 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Squaretail 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Diamond Scale Mullet · Diamond-scale Mullet · Diamond-scaled Mullet · Large Scale Mullet · Large-scaled Mullet · square-tail mullet · Squaretail Mullet · Yellowtail Mullet |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | بوري أصفر الذيل · بوري ماسي القشور · بوري مربع الذيل |
| 🌍CES | cípal širokoocasý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Halekantet multe |
| 🇫🇷French | Mulet à queue carrée · Mulet carrelé · Mulet mopiro |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Cefalo scaglie a diamante |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Onibora · オニボラ · ムナグロボラ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 넓적꼬리숭어 · 넙적꼬리숭어 |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tainha-de-laguna-do-Indo-Pacífico · Tainha-diamante |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Lisa de cola cuadrada |
| 🌍TAH | nape |
| 🌍THA | ปลากระบอกท่อนใต้ · ปลากระบอกหูดำ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 黃鯔 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelon vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Liza vagiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Liza vaigensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Liza vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Mugil delicatus | Jouan | 1878 | Synonym |
| Mugil macrolepidotus | Rüppell | 1830 | Synonym |
| Mugil melanochir | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Mugil occidentalis | Castelnau | 1873 | Synonym |
| Mugil rossii | Bleeker | 1854 | Synonym |
| Mugil tegobuan | Montrouzier | 1857 | Synonym |
| Mugil vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Mugil ventricosus | Castelnau | 1875 | Synonym |
| Mugil waigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 41 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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