Species: Mugil curvidens, Dwarf Mullet

Mugil curvidens Valenciennes, 1836

Dwarf Mullet

Mugil curvidens Valenciennes, 1836

Dwarf mullet

Moderately deep, robust body, depth at origin of dorsal fin 25-29% of SL; head wide, flat on top; eyes mostly covered by a well developed transparent fatty eyelid; mouth a pointed arch when viewed from below, opens at front, lips thin; teeth very small; upper lip with an outer row of recurved, single-pointed teeth, and an inner row small, pointed teeth; lower lip with one row of single-pointed teeth smaller than those on top lip; lower gill rakers 32-48; two short, widely spaced dorsal fins, IV + l, i (unbranched),8 (branched) (ii,7 in juvenile), origin of 2nd dorsal fin just behind origin of anal fin; anal fin III, 8 (rarely 7), II,i,8 in some juveniles; pectorals high on body, 1st ray hard, i, 14-15 (rarely 16), fin not quite reaching level of origin of first dorsal fin, 20-23% of SL; pelvics inserted behind pectoral base; forked tail; scales moderate to large, rough on body of adults; scales in lateral series 35 (34-37), 11-13 in transverse series, 18 (rarely 17) around base of tail; second dorsal and anal fins with scales over almost entire fin in adults (lacking only at tips of fins); no lateral line.

Pale grey on back, silvery on sides, and white below; fins uncolored, except rear edge of tail fin blackish

Size: grows to 27 cm.

Habitat: inshore marine waters.

Depth: 0-20 m, usually nearshore.

West and central Atlantic; Venezuela, Bermuda, the Bahamas, St.Croix, St John, Brazil