Striped mullet
Mullus surmuletus
Special features
The striped mullet has a red body color, as this makes it invisible in water, especially at night:
The frequencies of light that are in this range do not reach deeper water depths.
Although they can occur at depths of up to 400 m, they are usually found above 60 m.
Appearance
The striped mullet is oblong and relatively wide, with a straight stomach. It has a distinctive, orange-red stripe that runs from the eye to the tail fin.
It may also have other yellow or pink stripes and spots.
The belly is white, and the base color is also light. Her chin bars are long and look like chopsticks. The first dorsal fin has a brown to dark yellow stripe.
Natural enemies
Predatory fish
Dangerous/Venomous
The striped mullet is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. Conspicuously long whiskers
Pro tips
With their very long barbels, which are extended sensory organs on their chins, the striped mullets rummage through the soft soil and search for worms, crabs and snails that are buried there.
Other fish, such as sea bream or wrapfish, feed on the swirled sediment. As climate change increases, their range is expanding northwards. The spawning season is from April to July.
Text: Carolina Leiter
Pic: Dive Dict
Illustration: Dive Dict
