Freshwater mullet (Myxus capensis) fish species and information / pictures of Freshwater mullet - Myxus capensis

Freshwater mullet (Myxus capensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Myxus capensis

Common Name
Freshwater mullet

Biology
Occur in freshwater to estuarine conditions. Adults breed at sea; juveniles move into estuaries and enter rivers in late winter or early spring. Females remain in freshwater for 7 years, males for 4 years. Return to estuaries before maturing sexually prior to spawning. Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Feed on benthic algae and small invertebrates over muddy bottom (Ref. 6465). Decline in population from obstruction, by dams and weirs, of free passage into rivers.

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1836

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Mullets (Mugiliformes)

Family

Mullets (Mugilidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: east coastal estuaries and rivers from the Bre? River to Kosi Bay (South Africa).

Range

25°S - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

2.77 s.e. 0.27 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

45.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)