Animal Species:Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri (Valenciennes, 1836)

As its standard name suggests this temperate water species has a yellow iris.

Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri

Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri
David Muirhead © David Muirhead

Alternative Name/s

Conmuri, Coorang Mullet, Estuary Mullet, Forster's Mullet, Freshwater Mullet, Pilch, Victor Harbour Mullet, Yelloweye

Identification

The Yelloweye Mullet can be recognised by its yellow eye and relatively large mouth. It has two 'triangular' dorsal fins and a weakly forked caudal fin. It lacks a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.

Size range

The species grows to about 50 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in Australia and New Zealand.  In Australia it is known from southern New South Wales, around the south of the country including Tasmania and north to the central coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Aldrichetta forsteri

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Yelloweye Mullet specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs in temperate inshore and estuarine waters, usually on sandy or muddy substrates.

Classification

Species:
forsteri
Genus:
Aldrichetta
Family:
Mugilidae
Order:
Mugiliformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, Pp. 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. Family Mugilidae. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Mugilidae, Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri, silver, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, countershaded, soft substrate, marine, adult,