Thinlip Mullet

Chelon ramada

Thinlip Mullet are pelagic fish known for their elongated, laterally compressed bodies, with a steely blue coloration on top and a paler underside. They can grow up to 70 cm in length, though most are around 35 cm. They have a distinctive short, flattened head and a broad mouth with a narrow upper lip. Notably, they lack an externally visible lateral line and have large scales. These fish are found in the eastern Atlantic from Cape Verde to the Baltic Sea, including the Mediterranean, Black, and Azov Seas. They inhabit coastal waters, lagoons, estuaries, and rivers, usually at depths less than 40 meters. Thinlip Mullet primarily feed on epiphytic algae, detritus, and small benthic or planktonic organisms. They spawn at sea near the coast from September to February. The species is known to migrate, with adults moving to spawn and juveniles colonizing estuaries and littoral zones. Divers may encounter them in schools near shore, often in areas with varying water quality. The species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. While they are harmless to humans, Thinlip Mullet are commercially fished using various nets and are also targeted in recreational fishing. Their presence in polluted waters can affect the taste and quality of their meat, which is otherwise considered tender and soft.