Identity
Australian Mullet is a broad common name, so this page follows the catalog’s exact species identity. Osteomugil engeli also appears as Moolgarda engeli in research. It must not be confused with Striped Mullet, whose much larger size records belong to a different species.
Size and Weight
The reported maximum fork length is 47.7 cm, approximately 18.8 inches measured to the fork of the tail. A Hawaiian life-history study recorded sample weights up to 127.4 g, or 4.5 ounces. That weight is a study maximum, not a species-wide record, and does not represent the mass of a 47.7 cm fish.
Habitat and Reproduction
Researchers compared introduced populations in two Hawaiian estuaries. Spawning occurred throughout the year, with young recruits and adults using similar habitats. That result applies to the populations studied and should not be treated as a worldwide reproductive calendar.
Fishery Context
The species has been used as live bait in tuna fishing. That use describes its role as a baitfish, rather than a proven hook bait for catching the mullet itself. Its introduction history also makes careful identification valuable when assessing an estuary’s fish community.
New Recruits in Every Season
Year-round reproduction in the Hawaiian study meant small recruits could occur alongside adults across the sampling period. This pattern gives a more useful account of those populations than assigning a single short spawning season to the species everywhere.
All Lakes With Australian Mullet
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Australian Mullet records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–2 of 2 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- ʻUalapuʻe Fishpond Maui, HI
- Kaloko Fishpond Hawaii, HI