MUGILIDAE


Moolgarda pedaraki, FRLM 30711, 22.2 cm SL

Moolgarda pedaraki (Valenciennes, 1836)
Falcate-fin mullet

D IV - 9; A III, 9; P1 17 - 19; LR 33 - 37. Body relatively slender, compressed posteriorly. Head width subequal to depth, flattened dorsally; adipose eyelid weakly developed posteriorly, not covering iris; hind tip of maxilla concealed when mouth closed. Second dorsal and anal fins long and falcate; caudal fin deeply emarginate. Scales cycloid with narrow membranous posterior margin. Color: head and body silvery, darkened dorsally; several indistinct, dusky longitudinal stripes on body; dark blue spot at dorsal insertion of pectoral fin; caudal fin bluish. Size: 50 cm SL, commonly to 20 - 30 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: found in shallow coastal waters, and frequently enters estuaries. Feeds detritus, algae, diatoms, and small crustaceans. Marketed fresh. Mugil buchanani Bleeker, 1854, is a synonym (Senou, 2002).