Golden Grey Mullet (Liza aurata) and Common Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)
The golden grey mullet can reach a length of 50 cm, is slightly compressed at the sides and has a very depressed head and a wide mouth, which does not extend back to reach the eyes. It has large scales and an indistinct lateral line. Its two short dorsal fins arc well apart, and the first of these consists of only 4 strong spines. The back is brownish and the sides have 6 to 7 dark brown longitudinal stripes. The belly is white and there is a golden spot behind the eye and another on the gill cover. It feeds on minute organisms living in the bottom mud. It lives in small shoals in the sea and likes to migrate far upriver. Often can it be found in the lower reaches of rivers stretching from the North Sea along the entire European coastline round to the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
'I'he common grey mullet reaches a length of 70 cm. Its back is greyish with a golden arid blue metallic sheen; its sides have 9 to 10 dark longitudinal stripes and the gill covers have a golden and silvery sheen. Its biology generally resembles that of the previous species. It can be found hugging the shores of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and in Europe from the estuary of the river Loire southwards. All the grey mullet species have a considerable economic value, for their flesh is very tasty and thus they are usually caught in various types of nets.
Liza aurata
Maximum size and weight: 50 cm, 2 kg.
Identifying characteristics: Two short dorsal fins; first has only 4 strong, spiky rays. 6-7 dark brown longitudinal stripes on the sides and golden spots on gill covers and behind eyes.
Mugil cephalus Maximum size and weight:
70 cm, 4 kg. Identifying characteristics: Two short dorsal fins; first
has only 4 strong, spiky rays.
9-10 dark longitudinal stripes on the sides; gill covers have golden and silvery sheen
