Thicklip grey mullet
D-Dicklippige Meeräsche; GB-Thicklip rey mullet; DK-Tyklæbet multe; PL-Tępogłów grubowargi; EST-Pakshuul-heloon; RU-Губач; FIN-Paksuhuulikeltti; S-Tjockläppad multe
Characters
1) Thick upper lip with rows of small papillae.
2) Small mouth opening (not reaching the eye).
●) Two, clearly separated dorsal fins (first one is often layed alongside while swimming and is then almost not visible).
●) Body sides silvern with several dark longitudinal stripes, back greyish, abdomen lighter.
Usually below 60 cm, up to max. 75 cm length and up to 5 kg weight.
Similar species
Thinlip grey mullet - upper lip thin; black spot on origin of pectoral fin.
Golden grey mullet - upper lip thin; golden-yellow spot on operculum.
Biology
Swarm fish near the coast, partially also present in estuaries: young individuals occurring in fresh waters; also in heavily contaminanted waters. Spawns in spring in the sea; eggs are floating due to drops of oil on the surface. Live expectancy up to 9 years.Diet
Feeds on everything: on organic particles of the upper bottom layer, but also on algae on top of rocks, which are rasped away with the lip.Importance
Food fish, also kept in aquaculture.Endangerment
Not endangered.Chelon labrosus
