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Mulliformes (Goatfishes) >
Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Etymology: Mulloidichthys: Latin, mullus = soft + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Cuvier.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 49 m (Ref. 9710), usually 0 - 35 m (Ref. 40849). Subtropical; 33°N - 26°S, 98°W - 8°E
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: single record from Ile de Sào Tiago, Baie de Tarrafal, Cape Verde (Ref. 7313). Reported from São Tomé Island (Ref. 34088).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 17.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 44.8 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 104752); common length : 28.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3792)
Found over sandy areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Often in schools (Ref. 26938). Forms schools with the smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum), an association regarded as social protective mimicry (Ref. 52492). Juveniles are common in seagrass beds (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 7313). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3792).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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