MUGILIDAE


Chelon subviridis, FRLM 28744, 12.7 cm SL

Chelon subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836)
Greenback mullet

D IV - 8 - 10; A III, 8 - 9; P1 14 - 17; LR 27 - 33. Body relatively slender and not so deep (depth usually 22 - 26% of SL), compressed posteriorly. 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 emarginate. Scales ctenoid. Color: head and body silvery, darkened dorsally; three to six indistinct, dusky longitudinal stripes on body; caudal fin bluish with dusky narrow margin. Size: 40cm 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 detritus, small algae, and diatoms. Marketed fresh and salted.