Fish
Thinlip grey mullet
Liza ramada
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
30 cm
Minimum size
Description
With a spindle-shaped, elongated, and hydrodynamic body, its head is massive and flattened above the eyes. The mouth is small with a thin upper lip. The snout is short and blunt. There are two well-separated dorsal fins: the first has 4 to 5 stiff spines. The pectoral fins are set high on the sides. The back and flanks are grayish to bluish-gray, while the belly is silvery white. A small dark spot is often visible at the base of the pectoral fin. Average length is around 35 cm, but it can reach a maximum size of 70 cm. Adults feed on epiphytic algae, detritus, and small benthic or planktonic organisms. Juveniles feed mainly on zooplankton.
Habitat
A catadromous species (lives in freshwater or brackish water but returns to the sea to spawn). It is found in marine environments, brackish waters (estuaries, lagoons), and freshwater (rivers). It generally inhabits depths between 0 and 20 meters (pelagic-neritic zone). It prefers coastal areas and ventures far up rivers, often even into polluted waters. Juveniles colonize the coastline and estuaries from a very young age. A temperate species, tolerating water temperatures between 8°C and 24°C.
Distribution
The species is widely distributed throughout the eastern Atlantic. Along the European coast, from southern Norway to Morocco. In inland seas, it is very common throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Along the African coast, it extends southward to Cape Verde.