Striped red mullet

D-Streifenbarbe; GB-Striped red mullet, Striped mullet, surmullet; DK-Stribet mulle; PL-Barwena; EST-Vahemere meripoisur; RU-Полосатая барабуля; FIN-Keltajuovamullo; S-Mulle

Characters

1) Two long barbels on the chin.
●) Two distinctly separated dorsal fins.
●) Basic colouration light with red-brown longitudinal stripes from eye to caudal fin; colouration depending on mood: also without stripes and with big red spots.
Usually 20 to 25 cm, max. up to 40 cm length.

Similar species

- Unmistakable

Biology

Benthic species living on sandy and softer grounds down to 100 m depth. Occurs solitary or in groups of up to 50 fish. Spawning season from May to July; sexualy mature with 2 years.

Diet

Feeds mainly on smaller crustaceans, molluscs and worms; larger specimens also feed on small, bottom-living fish.

Importance

Well-liked food fish.