Mulliformes

Common Names

Members of Mulliformes are commonly known as goatfishes, surmullets, red mullets, or simply mullets. However, mullet is also a common name for several unrelated fish species, such as the grey mullet (Mugilidae).

Characteristics

Mulliformes share a number of distinctive features, including:

• Elongated, compressed body: They have a streamlined body shape that is laterally compressed, which helps them maneuver through water.
• Two barbels on the chin: These barbels are sensory organs that help them detect food on the seafloor.
• Single dorsal fin: They have a single dorsal fin, typically with a series of spines followed by soft rays.
• Scales: Mulliformes have ctenoid scales, which are rough to the touch.
• Mouth: Their mouths are small and protrusible, often with a slight upward tilt.

Environments

Mulliformes are primarily found in marine environments, primarily in shallow coastal waters and reefs. Some species may also be found in estuaries, lagoons, or even freshwater habitats. They are typically found in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can forage for food.

Diet

Mulliformes are primarily benthic feeders, meaning they feed on organisms that live on the seafloor. Their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and other small invertebrates. They use their barbels to sense prey and their protrusible mouths to pick up food from the bottom.

Reproduction

Mulliformes are generally oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Their eggs are pelagic, which means they float in the water column until they hatch. Many species are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born male and later transition to female.

References

For more detailed information about Mulliformes, refer to these reliable sources:

• FishBase
• Wikipedia
• ITIS