Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

IDENTIFICATION OF CULTIVABLE FINFISH

MUGIL CEPHALUS (Striped mullet)

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758

Body rather stout, head broad and flattened on top, its length 27 to 29% of standard length; fatty (adipose) tissue covering most of eye; lips thin; a large symphysial knob at front of lower jaw; posterior tip of upper jaw not curved down and hidden when mouth closed; several rows of teeth in upper lip; one row or sometimes more in lower lip. Origin of first dorsal fin nearer to snout tip than to caudal fin base; origin of second dorsal fin behind vertical from origin of anal fin; pectoral fins short, not reaching first dorsal fin origin, with an axillary scale; anal fin with 8 soft rays; caudal fin forked. Scales in lateral series 38 to 42. Colour: olive green on back, silvery on sides shading into white below; 6 to 7 indistinct longitudinal brown bars on flanks.