They live in tropical and temperate coastal marine and estuarine waters, but are also often found in the lower reaches of rivers. They are able to live in a wide range of salinity and so may also be found in lagoons, lakes and far into estuaries, but migrate back to the sea to spawn.
Where can mullet be found?
The striped mullet is cosmopolitan throughout coastal tropical to warm temperate waters. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Nova Scotia, Canada south to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. It is absent in the Bahamas and the Caribbean Sea.
Is grey mullet a sea fish?
Grey mullet belong to a large family, which comprises some 80 species of marine fish, known as Muglidae, and is a common inhabitant of marine coastal waters in Europe. The thick-lipped grey mullet is the commonest of three species which occur in northern European waters.
Is grey mullet sea bass?
Grey, or silver, mullet, with its distinct, slightly nutty flavour, born of its coastal habitat, is a delicious and economical alternative to sea bass. A mullet’s flesh is bright pink, with some darker meat and a wonderfully lean, firm texture.
Did you know?
| Kcal | 131 kcal |
|---|---|
| Sugars | 0g |
Where can I find grey mullet in NZ?
In Aotearoa most of the grey mullet commercial catch comes from the Kaipara and Manukau Harbors, and in the lower reaches of the Waikato River.
How do you catch GREY mullet?
They can be caught on fly or lure, but by far the most popular way to fish for ‘thicks’ is with bait, normally bread, although bits of mackerel flesh and bunches of harbour ragworm often called maddies make a great bait.
Is GREY mullet a freshwater fish?
The flathead grey mullet is catadromous, frequently found coastally in estuaries and freshwater environments. Adult mullet have been found in waters ranging from zero salinity to 75‰, while juveniles can only tolerate such wide salinity ranges after they reach lengths of 4–7 cm.
Is grey mullet good eating?
It is very healthy being high in Omega vitamins. The Oil also gives it a fairly strong fishy taste. I grew up eating mullet. Besides occasionally having some smoked I can assure you that there are a lot of other fish that I would rather have.
Is mullet a good fish to eat?
MULLET has a strong, distinct taste and moist oily flesh. It can be grilled or pan fried, with the skin crisping beautifully. It is also well suited to marinating, serving escabeche style, or baking. If you want a milder tasting fillet you can skin it and trim off the excess fat.
Is grey mullet edible?
Grey mullet roe is a delicacy smoked and is traditionally used in taramasalata.
Is there a season for mullet?
When a fish is thrown for sport, you know there’s going to be plenty to go around all year long. Mullet are freshest when enjoyed during the spring or fall months, so look for it when the weather is moderate.
Are mullet hard to catch?
They are a fish which is extremely difficult to catch. This is because of the unusual way in which they feed and the fact that they are easily spooked. Mullet will flee from noise and even the silhouette of an angler standing over the water is enough to frighted mullet away.
How do you catch mullet in NZ?
The easiest way to catch yelloweyed mullet is with a small float and a tiny hook. Small trout-fly hooks in the #12-16 range work really well, as they are super sharp. Fishing with a small dropper rig or a set of sabikis also works very well off wharves and in sandy areas.
Where is mullet found in NZ?
In New Zealand, Mullet are usually found in coastal waters around the North Island, particularly in shallow muddy harbours, mangrove swamps, and river estuaries. Some swim up rivers into fresh water.
What do mullet eat as bait?
Top baits for mullet
Bread is the most productive bait. The cheapest and nastiest sliced white bread seems to do the job a lot better than your more expensive varieties. Fish that eat scum every day aren’t going to be impressed with your grainy wholemeal or artisan sourdough varieties.
What time of year can you catch mullet?
One myth we ought to clear up is that mullet aren’t just summer fish. They forage up estuaries, waterways and harbours for most of the year.
Is mullet fresh or saltwater fish?
Mullets number fewer than 100 species and are found throughout tropical and temperate regions. They generally inhabit salt water or brackish water and frequent shallow, inshore areas, commonly grubbing about in the sand or mud for microscopic plants, small animals, and other food.
Are mullet bottom feeders?
However, if you’re not in the clean clear waters of the Gulf Coast, you might not want to order mullet off the menu. This fish in particular is a bottom feeder, ingesting the nutrients found in the mud on the seafloor of whatever environment they are living in.
Why do mullet jump so much?
“Mullet jump to breathe air.”
The trapped air is believed to allow the fish to remain active in water of low oxygen concentration for about five minutes.
How does mullet fish taste?
Mullet has a rich, nutty taste. Its high oil content and flavor have earned it the nickname “Biloxi bacon.” The raw flesh is white and cooks up white, firm and juicy. A dark, lateral line of fatty flesh runs through the meat and can impart a stronger flavor.
Do mullet jump?
The less oxygen, the more jumps. Secondly, Sea Mullet feed during the day often in bottom sediments that have low oxygen concentrations. Jumping occurs much more commonly during the day. Sea Mullet rarely jump at night.