| Yellow-eye mullet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Mugiliformes |
| Family: | Mugilidae |
| Genus: | Aldrichetta Whitley, 1945 |
| Species: | A. forsteri |
| Binomial name | |
| Aldrichetta forsteri (Valenciennes, 1836) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Aldrichetta forsteri nonpilcharda Whitley, 1951 |
|
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 as large a 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.
Yellow-eyed mullets are easily distinguished from other coastal fish by their bright yellow eyes. In New Zealand it is known as the herring. They are also commonly called the sand mullet.
They grow to about forty centimeters and about one kilogram. They are found in sandy beaches, jetties, and estuaries. The meat of this fish is extremely rich in omega three fatty acids.
They feed on small animals such as sandworms and small cockles. Occasionally large schools can be seen feeding on the surface. They can live up to seven years.
They have a low habitat damage rate.
They don’t usually enter fresh water, and are very nice smoked, however, the black lining surrounding the stomach should be removed before cooking.