Yellow-eye mullet
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| Aldrichetta forsteri (Valenciennes, 1836) |
The yellow-eye mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri, is a mullet of the family Mugilidae, the only species in the genus Aldrichetta. It is found around New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and southern Australia, from the surface to depths of 50 m. Its length is between 20 and 40 cm.
The yellow-eye mullet is similar to the flathead mullet but has a more pointed snout and does not grow to such a large size. It has a larger mouth than the flathead mullet and the teeth are larger and more numerous.
The yellow-eye mullet schools in large numbers in summer and enters bays and estuaries, but does not usually enter fresh water.
The back is olive-green, and silver, usually with a yellow tinge, on the belly. As its common name suggests the eyes are a distinctive bright yellow.
[edit] Historic nominal species
Aldrichetta forsteri nonpilcharda: Whitley, 1951; Mugil forsteri: Valenciennes, 1836; Mugil albula: Forster, 1801; Agonostoma diemensis: (Richardson, 1840); Dajaus diemensis: Richardson, 1840.
[edit] References
- "Aldrichetta forsteri". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. February 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
