Large Scale Mullet

Diagnosis: 8-9 anal soft rays; anal fin and lower lobe of caudal fin yellowish (Ref. 57400). Scales large, 25-30 (usually 27-29) in a longitudinal series (excluding scales on caudal fin base)(Ref. 57400, 81659), 8-10.5 scale rows between pelvic and first dorsal fins (Ref. 81659). Body with ctenoid scales, except for anterior predorsal scales which are cycloid and extend to anterior nostril or slightly beyond; scales usually with only 1 groove (some predorsal scales with 2 or rarely 3 small grooves); posterior end of maxilla sigmoid, curved down over premaxilla; serrate, anteroventral edge of lachrymal distinctly concave; pharyngobranchial organ with 2 valves, anteroventral valve usually a small, finger-like process, sometimes with fringe of smaller processes or papillae positioned ventrally at base, posterodorsal valve usually a small, squarish flap which is fimbriate, terminating in 2-3 short filaments (Ref. 81659).Description: body rather deep (Ref. 81659), elongate, moderately compressed, reaching its greatest depth at level of anal-fin origin (Ref. 57400). Head broad; interorbital space almost flat (Ref. 57400). Snout blunt (Ref. 81659), long and strongly rounded (length about equal to half of width)(Ref. 57400). No adipose eyelid (Ref. 57400). Upper lip thin and smooth (Ref. 57400). Teeth on both lips either absent or very small, ciliiform, well spaced (Ref. 81659) and in single row or rarely in two rows on upper lip (Ref. 57400, 81659). Hind end of upper jaw reaching a vertical line passing slightly in front of eye margin; maxillary pad visible below corner of mouth when closed (Ref. 57400). Origin of 1st dorsal fin either nearer to caudal-fin base than to snout tip, or equidistant from these two points (Ref. 57400). Second dorsal fin with 9 (rarely 8 or 10) segmented rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 segmented rays in adults (1st spine very short and usually hidden by overlying scales), usually 2 spines and 10 segmented rays in juveniles

Catadromous. Migrating from freshwater to the sea to spawn, e.g., European eels. Subdivision of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

Inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries and brackish lagoons, including mangroves (Ref. 2683) and freshwater rivers (Ref. 7399).

Very common in lagoons and estuaries; an extremely euryhaline species (from 0-66‰), but preferring areas close to the sea in estuaries and lagoons (Ref. 57400), often with muddy substrates (Ref. 81659). Inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries and brackish lagoons (Ref. 2683), including mangroves (Ref. 2683, 81659), creeks, estuaries, inundated mudflats (Ref. 81659) and freshwater rivers (Ref. 7399). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Maximum reported size 297 mm FL, but possibly up to 400 mm (Ref. 57400, 81659).

fisheries: commercial

The largescaled mullet is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Mugilidae. It is found in the eastern Atlantic from Mauritania to the Gulf of Guinea. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Parachelon.