Depth
Mullus · Bony Fish

Striped Red Mullet

Mullus surmuletus

0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Reef & Open
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Very High
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Mullus
Species surmuletus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationElongated body with a moderately steep forehead and two long chin barbels. Reddish body with three distinctive yellow-golden longitudinal stripes along each flank. First dorsal fin has a prominent dark band.
  • SizeUp to 40 cm total length, commonly 15 to 25 cm.
  • Social HabitOften found in small groups foraging over rocky and mixed substrates. Uses barbels to detect prey by touch and taste.
  • HabitatRocky reefs, mixed substrates, and seagrass bed edges. Prefers harder substrates than the red mullet.
  • Depth3 to 100 m, most common between 5 and 40 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall crustaceans, worms, and molluscs detected and extracted from the substrate using chin barbels.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from the British Isles to Senegal, including the entire Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionDistinguished from the red mullet by its prominent golden stripes and the dark band on the first dorsal fin. The striped red mullet is more commonly encountered on rocky reefs, while the red mullet prefers sandy bottoms. Both species methodically sweep the seabed with their sensitive barbels, an entertaining behaviour to watch.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting reef & open environments. Active from the surface down to 40m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Reef & Open habitats, typically at depths of 0-40m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Striped Red Mullet species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Uses a pair of sensitive chin barbels to probe sand and sediment for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs buried beneath the surface.

Benthic forager

Reproduction

Spawns pelagic eggs in summer. Juveniles settle to inshore sandy habitats and grow rapidly.

Pelagic spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Can rapidly change colour from pale to deep red, and shelters among rocky structure when threatened.

Colour change

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Mullus surmuletus. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

View dive site ›
5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

View dive site ›
18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide