Mullet - Sea

Dispatch Method:

The various species of mullet found in Australian freshwaters, estuaries and inshore waters have similar brain locations. All species can be killed humanely by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head. Smaller specimens (less than 20-25 cm) may also be killed humanely in an ice slurry.

Fish Description:

• Sea mullet are bluish-grey to olive-brown above, grading to silvery-white below, with a dark-bluish spot at the base of the pectoral fin.
  
• Juveniles feed on zooplankton and benthic amphipods and copepods. Adults often feed on algae covered rocks.

Fish Distribution:

• Sea mullet occur worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters of coastal and estuarine areas of all oceans. However, molecular genetic studies suggest that what is known as Mugil cephalus may in fact be several different "cryptic" species.
  
• Sea mullet can tolerate a wide salinity range and often move into lagoons, lakes and the upper reaches of estuaries.
  
• Adults congregate in estuaries during the autumn months before migrating back to the sea to spawn, at which time they can be found well offshore on the surface in water depths greater than 330 meters.

Fish Size Common Length:

25-40 cm, maximum size around 70 cm and 8 kg.