Blue-striped Red Mullet

Fascinating facts about the Blue-striped Red Mullet

• When Marcus Bloch and Johann Schneider first named it in 1801, it was later noted as commercially important.
• At up to 40 cm (16 in) long, the blue-striped red mullet lives on sandy or rocky bottoms.
• Its two whisker-like chin barbels act like underwater metal detectors, probing sediments down to 200 m (656 ft) deep to locate tiny molluscs and crustaceans, an elegant solution to hunting in dim, murky waters.
• From Fraser Island in Queensland down to Tasmania, this fish spans a large portion of the temperate Australian coastline.
• Spawning takes place in the water column above the seabed, with eggs and larvae drifting freely; this pelagic early life stage spreads the next generation over vast distances, illustrating nature’s way of ensuring survival beyond a single reef.

At a glance

About the Blue-striped Red Mullet

The blue-striped red mullet, Upeneichthys lineatus, is a striking goatfish that glides over the temperate waters of eastern and southeastern Australia. Its small, fleshy-lipped mouth is lined with a single row of conical teeth, and two sensitive chin barbels sweep the sand for hidden prey. Colouration is a kaleidoscope of pale cream to deep red, punctuated by vivid blue and gold facial lines, thin yellow streaks, and a distinctive mid-lateral blue stripe that runs the length of its flanks. The dorsal fin bears nine spines and eight soft rays, while the anal fin carries a single spine and six rays, and individuals can grow to about 31 cm (12 in) in length, though the species can reach up to 40 cm (16 in) fork length. In sheltered bays and harbours, often over rocky or sandy substrates from five to 100 metres deep, though they become rarer below 40 metres, these fish form small, inquisitive schools. Their fine teeth and probing barbels allow them to extract tiny molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and even soft-bodied polychaetes from the sediment, while occasional fish and larger invertebrates supplement the diet. Reproduction is a broadcast affair: separate sexes release eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilisation occurs above the bottom and the pelagic larvae drift with the currents. A surprising trait is their ability to thrive across a mosaic of substrates, from smooth sand to rock and shell-laden bottoms, showcasing a flexibility that underpins their commercial importance along the Australian coast.

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