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Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Squaretail mullet |
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photo by
Dubosc, J. |
| Family: | Mugilidae (Mullets) | |||
| Max. size: | 63 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m, catadromous | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and from East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia (Ref. 9812). | |||
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished by the following characters: robust body; usually with 16 pectoral-fin rays; 25-29 longitudinal scales; 16 circumpeduncular scales; weakly ctenoid scales; adults with longer snout than eye diameter, shorter in juvenile; poorly developed adipose eyelid, forming narrow rim around eye; weak notch on anteroventral edge of preorbital; truncate caudal fin; colour olive-brown dorsally, flanks and belly silvery to whitish; about 6 brownish stripes on flank formed by longitudinal marks on scales; fins yellowish white with dusky margins except caudal fin yellow and pectoral black dorsally and yellow ventrally (completely black in young); no axillary scale visible in the pectoral fins (Ref. 9812, 90102). Description: Head broad and flat; adipose eyelids vestigial (Ref. 4393). Adults without teeth; juveniles have scattered fine ciliate teeth on upper lip, very few on lower lip; tongue dentate (Ref. 4393). First dorsal fin with 4 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; pectoral fin with 16 rays; pectoral fin bent forward reaches front of eye; second dorsal and anal fin scaly (Ref. 4393). Scales on lateral line 26-28; scaly process at first dorsal-fin base 6-8 times in predorsal distance; no pectoral axillary scale visible; scales large, ctenoid, each with a short mucous canal; preorbital notched, denticulate, rear margin broadly rounded (Ref. 4393). Colouration: Light olive above, silvery on sides, dirty yellowish below; dusky streaks along upper scale rows; most fins dusky, pectoral fin black in young, lower margin yellow in adults; iris with yellow reflections; a dusky fish with a truncate tail (Ref. 4393). |
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| Biology: | Found in lagoons, reef flats, estuaries, and coastal creeks, in shallow coastal areas and protected sandy shores (Ref. 40488). Usually within tidal influence, but may enter fresh water, ascending 10 km into rivers (Ref. 40488). Forms large schools, frequently in mangrove areas (Ref. 2334). Juveniles may be found in rice fields and mangroves and may be used as bait fish (Ref. 9812). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Feeds on phytoplankton, small algae and detritus organisms (Ref. 89972). Caught in cast nets, stake nets, beach seines, and gill nets; marketed fresh and salted; boiled (Thailand), canned or frozen (Australia). Roe also marketed salted and juveniles used as bait fish (Ref. 9812).. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 July 2016 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | reports of ciguatera poisoning | |||