---
title: Mullets (Mugilidae)
scientific_name: Mugilidae
common_name: Mullets
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:06:38.062Z
tags: Mullets, Mugilidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets
---

# Mullets (*Mugilidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Mugilidae
- **Body shape:** Elongate - Long and slender, but still fish-shaped - trumpetfishes, needlefishes, cornetfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 6

## How to recognise this group

- elongate, somewhat cylindrical body
- large, silvery scales
- two widely separated dorsal fins
- constantly sifting sand or grazing algae

Mullets (Mugilidae) are common schooling fish characterised by moderately elongated, cylindrical bodies that grow up to 60 cm (2 ft) long. Their large, silvery scales often display faint longitudinal stripes along the sides. A key feature is the presence of two widely separated dorsal fins, the first being spiny and the second soft-rayed. Many species have a distinctive adipose eyelid, which partially covers the eye, and a small, often subterminal mouth adapted for grazing.

They inhabit shallow coastal waters, frequenting sandy flats, seagrass beds, and reef lagoons from the surface down to 30 metres (100 ft). As detritivores, mullets feed by continuously sifting sand and mud for organic particles or by scraping algae and diatoms from hard surfaces. These activities often involve slow, coordinated movements of entire schools across the substrate.


## Species (6)

- [Bluespot Mullet (Crenimugil seheli)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/bluespot-mullet)
- [Fringelip Mullet (Crenimugil crenilabis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/fringelip-mullet)
- [Golden Grey Mullet (Chelon auratus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/golden-grey-mullet)
- [Squaretail Mullet (Ellochelon vaigiensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/squaretail-mullet)
- [Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/striped-mullet)
- [Thicklip Mullet (Plicomugil labiosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets/thicklip-mullet)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/mullets)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*