Striped Red Mullet
Mullus surmuletus
The Striped Red Mullet, also known as the Rock Mullet, is one of the most famous and beloved fish of the Mediterranean. It belongs to the family Mullidae and is distinguished by its intense reddish colour and delicious flavour. The body is elongated and laterally compressed, with colour ranging from fire red on the back to pink and silver on the belly. The most important feature that distinguishes it from other similar species involves the intense yellow horizontal stripes running along its sides and the dark markings on the first dorsal fin.
The profile of its head is smooth and sloped, which is different from the steep and vertical profile seen in the mud mullet. Under its jaw, it possesses two characteristic long barbels, which serve as sensory organs for touch and taste. When the fish searches for food, the barbels move constantly as it digs into the seabed, but when it swims, it retracts them into special grooves in the jaw.
Habitat
This is a benthic species that lives near the seabed. It prefers rocky bottoms, reefs, and mixed ground consisting of stone, sand, and gravel. The fish is encountered at depths from 10 to 100 metres, although older individuals can descend deeper. Young individuals often form schools while larger ones become more solitary.
Diet
This fish is a carnivorous species that feeds during the day. It uses its sensitive barbs to detect small organisms hiding in the sand or under small stones. Its diet consists of benthic invertebrates such as small shrimp, tiny crabs, worms, and molluscs.
Reproduction
Reproduction of the Striped Red Mullet takes place during the warm months of the year. In the Mediterranean, this period starts in April or May and peaks in June and July. The eggs and larvae are pelagic and travel with the currents. The young fish are initially blue in colour and live at the surface before descending to the bottom to acquire their characteristic red colour.
Fisheries
It is considered one of the most select and expensive fish on the regional market. It is caught professionally with nets and bottom trawls, but also represents a favourite target for recreational fishers using hand lines. The meat is white and firm, with a characteristic sweet flavour that resembles shrimp, due to its diet. It is ideal for frying or grilling over charcoal.
Research
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Striped Red Mullet as a species of Least Concern. However, scientific studies have shown that in many areas of the Mediterranean, populations are under great pressure from overfishing. Research also indicated that females grow faster and live longer than males, often reaching ten years of age.