Moolgarda seheli (Forsskål, 1775)
Bluespot mullet
Moolgarda seheli
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Mugilidae (Mullets)
 Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 8,000.0 g
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 0 - 3 m, catadromous
 Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Transkei, South Africa (Ref. 4393) and east to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and Norfolk Island (Ref. 8879) and Tuamotu Islands (Ref. 90102).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Bluish brown or green dorsally; flanks and abdomen silvery; dusky spots on upper row of scales, giving indistinct longitudinal stripes (Ref. 9812). Dorsal and upper lobe of caudal fin with dark-blue tip. Anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins yellow. Pectorals also with dark blue spot dorsally at origin (Ref. 9812). Pectoral-fin axil scale very long. Description: Characterized by having membranous, digitate posterior margin on scales; snout shorter than eye diameter; slender maxilla and weakly curved ventrally at posterior tip, partially or completely concealed; poorly developed adipose eyelid as rim around eye; preorbital weakly concave on anteroventral edge (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Inhabit coastal waters but enters estuaries and rivers where they feed on microalgae, filamentous algae, forams, diatoms, and detritus associated with sand and mud (Ref. 9812). Form schools. Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Also caught using stakenets, barrier nets, and pouch nets during spawning; also taken as bycatch (Ref. 9812). Marketed fresh and perhaps salted, boiled (Thailand), canned or frozen (Australia); roe salted (Ref. 9812).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 11.06.92
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 14.04.15
 Checked by: Harrison, Ian - 02.10.95

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