Diagnostic Description
(
الإنجليزية
)
المقدمة من FAO species catalogs
Body moderately compressed. A pair of stout barbels under chin, their length greater than that of pectoral fins; opercle without spine; snout less steep, anterior head profile parabolic; maxilla at most reaching below anterior eye margin; small villiform teeth in lower jaw; upper jaw toothless (see remarks); teeth also present on roof of mouth (vomer and palatines). First dorsal fin with 7 - 8 spines, the first minute; second dorsal fin with I + 8 soft rays; 33 to 37 scales in lateral line. Colour reddish, usually with a darker red longitudinal stripe from eye to caudal fin and 3 yellow-brown lines on lower sides; first dorsal fin with dark markings.
- Aguirre, H. - 1997Presence of dentition in the premaxilla of juvenile Mullus barbatus and M. surmuletus . Journal of Fish Biology, 51: 1186-1191.
- Ben-Tuvia, A. - 1990 Mullidae. In: J.C. Quero et al., (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). Unesco, Portugal, vol. II: 827-829.
- Djabali, F., B. Brahmi & M. Mammasse. - 1993Poissons des cotes Algeriennes. Bulletin de l'Institut des Sciences de la Mer et de l'Aménagement du littoral. 215 pp.
- Hureau, J.-C. - 1986 Mullidae. In: P.J.P. Whitehead et al., (eds.). Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (FNAM). Unesco, Paris, vol. II: 877-882.
- Lloris, D. & J. Rucabado. - 1998Guide FAO d'Identification des espèces pour les besoins de la pêche. Guide d'Identification des Ressources Marines Vivantes du Maroc. Rome, FAO: 263 pp.
Distribution
(
الإنجليزية
)
المقدمة من FAO species catalogs
Northern part of West Africa from Gibraltar to Dakar. Along the coast of Western Europe up to the English Channel; also in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Size
(
الإنجليزية
)
المقدمة من FAO species catalogs
To 40 cm standard length; common 10-25 cm.
Brief Summary
(
الإنجليزية
)
المقدمة من FAO species catalogs
Benthic species on gravel and stones inshallow waters (1 - 460 m), usually 5-60 m.Gregarious fish.Feeds predominantly on small bottom-living invertebrates (crustaceans, worms, molluscs, etc.). Reproduction in February to May at depths between 30 and 70 m.
Benefits
(
الإنجليزية
)
المقدمة من FAO species catalogs
Caught mainly with gillnets, trammel nets and bottom trawls . The total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 was 12 301 t. The countries with the largest catches were Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (4 000 t) and France (2 541 t). Marketed fresh or frozen; the flesh is highly esteemed.
