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Florida Sportfishing Species
Mullets
Family Mugilidae
FANTAIL MULLET
Description: Color olive green with blue tints on back, shading to silvery sides, white below; anal and pelvic fins yellowish; dark blotch at base of pectoral fin; inverted V-shaped mouth; insertion of second dorsal over that of anal fin.
Similar Fish: Striped mullet, M. cephalus; white mullet, M. curema.
Where found: INSHORE, occuring along beaches in the fall.
Size: Small mullet, less than 1 pound.
Remarks: Spawns in NEARSHORE or possibly INSHORE waters during spring and summer; juveniles occur INSHORE; feeds on algae, small crustaceans and detritus.
STRIPED (BLACK) MULLET
Description: Color bluish-gray or green above, shading to silver on sides with distinct horizontal black barrings, white below; fins lightly scaled at base, unscaled above; blunt nose and small mouth; second dorsal fin originates behind that of the dorsal fin.
Similar Fish: White mullet, M. curema; fantail mullet, M. gyrans (both white and fantail mullet have black blotch at base of pectoral fin, which is lacking in the black mullet).
Where found: INSHORE.
Size: Roe mullet common to 3 pounds but in aquariums known to reach 12 pounds or more.
Remarks: Adults migrate OFFSHORE in large schools to spawn; juveniles migrate INSHORE at about 1 inch in size, moving far up tidal creeks; frequent leapers; feeds on algae, detritus and other tiny marine forms.
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