Red Mullet

by David Proudfoot

Mullus surmuletus

species ID red mullet

Distinguishing features

The red mullet is a slim, narrow bodied fish with an angled front to the head. The large scales are easily dislodged and there are two long barbels below its chin. The colour is a reddish brown to deep red with yellowish stripes along its body together with a single darker red stripe. The colours may merge into blotchy patches.

Size

Red mullet can attain weights of around a kilogram.

British Record Fish List

UK Shore Record: 3lb 15oz 0dms / 1.786kg
UK Boat Record: 3lb 7oz 0dms / 1.559kg
Habitat

Although found around the UK and North Sea coasts it is most plentiful south of the English Channel down through the Mediterranean to the north west coast of Africa. It inhabits muddy or sandy seabeds in depths from below the low water mark to around 100 metres.

Food

This species feeds mainly on invertebrates and crustaceans which it roots from the seabed.

Bait

Soft baits such as worms or peeler crabs will on occasion take this species.

Facebook Comments Box

You may also like

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.