PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sand Mullet 

Myxus elongatus Günther, 1861

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: IV; I, 8
Anal fin spines/rays: III, 9
Caudal fin rays: 14
Pectoral fin rays: 16
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
Small to medium-sized fishes with slender robust bodies, a small, broad head, a short snout with a small terminal mouth, and eyes often partly covered adipose tissue. Mullets have two separate short-based dorsal fins of similar size, pectoral fins set high on the body, large scales and no lateral line.

Family level detail.
Slender, robust fishes with a small, broad head, a short snout, a small terminal mouth and eyes often partly covered adipose tissue. They have two separate short-based dorsal fins of similar size, pectoral fins set high on the body, large scales and no lateral line. The family contains more than 70 species.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Mugiliformes
Family:
Mugilidae
Genus:
Myxus
Species:
elongatus

General Description

Body long, slender, head small, flattened, slightly compressed; snout pointed, mouth small, terminal; two widely-separated, short based dorsal fins, the second originating behind the soft part of the anal fin; tail fin distinctly forked. Greenish above, silvery on sides and below; axilla of each pectoral fin with a small black spot; eyes pale yellow; pectoral fins translucent, other fins pale to dusky with whitish anterior margins. To 40 cm.

Biology

Relatively common, especially on sand flats near river mouths. Feeds regularly on marine worms and can be caught on hook and line unlike most other mullet species. Considered to be good eating, although skinning is recommended to remove strong flavours.

Habitat

Shallow coastal marine and brackish waters, in depths of 0-20 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Southwest Pacific and southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Mullets

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

Midwater Surface

Max Size

40 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Sand Mullet, Myxus elongatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 04 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6332

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