MUGILIDAE


Chelon subviridis, 12.7 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Chelon subviridis
(Valenciennes, 1836)
Greenback Mullet

D IV+8-10; A III, 8-9; P1 14-17; LR 27-33.

Body moderately robust and not so deep (depth usually 22-26% of SL), compressed posteriorly; no elongate scale (axillary scale) above pectoral-fin base. Head width subequal to depth, flattened dorsally; adipose eyelid weakly developed posteriorly, not covering iris; hind tip of maxilla exposed when mouth closed. Second dorsal and anal fins pointed but not falcate; caudal fin emarginage. Scales ctenoid. Color: head and body silvery, darkened dorsally; 3-6 indistinct, dusky longitudinal stripes on body; caudal fin bluish with dusky narrow margin. Size: 40 cm SL, commonly to 25 cm TL. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: found in shallow coastal waters, and frequently enters lower reaches of streams, estuaries, and mangrove swamps. Feeds on detritus, small algae, and diatoms. Marketed fresh and salted