Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri (Valenciennes, 1836)

Scientific name: Aldrichetta forsteri
Alternative name/s:
Conmuri, Coorang Mullet, Estuary Mullet, Forster's Mullet, Freshwater Mullet, Pilch, Victor Harbour Mullet, Yelloweye
Yelloweye Mullet, <i>Aldrichetta forsteri</i> Click to enlarge image
Yelloweye Mullet at a depth of 1m, Hallett Cove, a southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, 12 March 2010. Image: David Muirhead
© David Muirhead

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Aldrichetta
    Species
    forsteri
    Family
    Mugilidae
    Order
    Mugiliformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 50 cm in length.

Introduction

As its standard name suggests this temperate water species has a yellow iris.

Identification

The Yelloweye Mullet can be recognised by its yellow eye and relatively large mouth. It has two 'triangular' dorsal fins and a weakly forked caudal fin. It lacks a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.

Aldrichetta forsteri
A Yelloweye Mullet caught at a depth of 1m, Wyong River, New South Wales, November 2007 Image: S. Murray
© S. Murray

Habitat

It occurs in temperate inshore and estuarine waters, usually on sandy or muddy substrates.

Distribution

It occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from southern New South Wales, around the south of the country including Tasmania and north to the central coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, Pp. 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. Family Mugilidae. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.