Pinkeye Mullet, Trachystoma petardi (Castelnau 1875)


Other Names: Fresh Water Mullet, Freshwater Mullet, Pinkeye, Pink-eye, Richmond Mullet, River Mullet

Pinkeye Mullet, Trachystoma petardi. Source: Rudie H. Kuiter. License: All rights reserved

Summary:

A dusky greenish-brown mullet becoming silvery below, with pale yellowish fins, a stout deep body, a small mouth and a small eye.


Cite this page as:
Martin F. Gomon, Trachystoma petardi in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4470

Pinkeye Mullet, Trachystoma petardi (Castelnau 1875)

More Info


Distribution

Known only from northeastern Australia from the Burnett River, Queensland, to the Clyde River, New South Wales. This subtropical species inhabiting deep, gently flowing sections of rivers as well as estuaries and coastal seas during spawning events.

Features

Dorsal fin IV-I 8; Anal fin III 9; Pectoral fin 15.
Body elongate, shallow, moderately compressed; head pointed, small; eye diameter slightly shorter than snout; single row of ciliate teeth in each lip, fine and pointed, scarcely emergent in some, often missing in large fish; mouth and tongue membranes with fine papillae; eye large; nostrils nearer each other than to lip or eye; stomach with distinct gizzard; adipose eyelid absent.
Scales ctenoid, mucus canals short, shallow, mostly on peduncle and lower flank, few elsewhere; scales absent from head to anterior nostril; mid-lateral scales in longitudinal series 47-50; lateral line absent.
Two widely separated dorsal fins; 1st dorsal fin origin on centre of back; 2nd dorsal fin opposite and similar in size and shape to anal fin, falcate; upper insertion of pectoral fin at level of upper rim of eye, dorsal ray of pectoral fins developed as a short spur or ‘spine’ (not a true spine); pelvic fins with I spine and 5 soft rays, inserted about midway between origins of pectoral fins and first dorsal fin; caudal fin forked.

Size

To around 80 cm SL, commonly to 40 cm.

Colour

Dusky greenish-brown dorsally; sides and belly silvery; fins straw-coloured.

Feeding

Feeds mostly on algae and other plant material, but also consumes detritus and benthic invertebrates.

Biology

Oviparous, pelagic spawner. Migrates downstream to spawn in estuaries or at sea in summer. Peak spawning activity occurs in February.

Remarks

This species has been frequently placed in the genus Myxus.

Species Citation

Mugil petardi Castelnau 1875,  Intercolonial Exhib. Essays 2: 32. Type locality: Richmond River, NSW.

Author

Martin F. Gomon

Pinkeye Mullet, Trachystoma petardi (Castelnau 1875)

References


Allen, G.R. (1989). Freshwater Fishes of Australia.  Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications pp. 1–240 figs (as Myxus petardi);

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. (2002). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia.  Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. as Myxus petardi).

Castelnau, F.L. de (1875). Researches on the fishes of Australia. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays. 2. pp. 1–52 in, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 : Official Record. Melbourne

Harrison, I.J. & Senou, H. (1999) Order Mugiliformes. In Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific.  Volume 4.  FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes.  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome pp. 2069–2790 (as Myxus petardi)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. (1984). Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management.  Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp.

Thomson, J.M. (1997). The Mugilidae of the world. Mem. Qld Mus. 41(3): 457–562 fig. 1.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37381011

Habitat:Coastal marine, estuarine, freshwater

Max Size:80 cm SL

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