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Mullet Fishing: Species ID

Mullet Fishing: Species ID

  
 

The following photos show some of the key features that can help to differentiate between the three UK mullet species. Please see also the Golden-Grey ID Supplement, if necessary.

The following photos show some of the key features that can help to differentiate between the three UK mullet species. Please see also the Golden-Grey ID Supplement, if necessary.

  

 
  • Overall appearance - there is a good deal of variation, particularly in thicklips
  • Overall appearance;

    • - there is a good deal of variation, particularly in thicklips

    		  
     

    Thicklip:

    Thicklip:

    Thinlip:

    Thinlip:

    		  
     

    Golden-Grey:

    Golden-Grey:

    		 
     

    - noticeably slimy, especially when out of the water for a while. Possibly less prone to shedding scales than the other two species

    - noticeably slimy, especially when out of the water for a while. Possibly less prone to shedding scales than the other two species

    		  
     

    Thicklip:

    Thicklip:

    		  
     

    Thinlip:

    - there is often the suggestion of a black spot at the base of the pectoral, which is sometimes still visible when seen swimming, also orange/gold colouration in the eye (see below)

    		  

    Golden-Grey:

    - usually quite slender, particularly the neck of the tail. There is usually, but not always, a gold mark on the gill cover, but this can also be present in thicklips. The pectoral fin is usually quite long and 'scimitar-like', but again, not always.

    		  
     

    Thinlip:

    - there is often the suggestion of a black spot at the base of the pectoral, which is sometimes still visible when seen swimming, also orange/gold colouration in the eye (see below)

    		 
     

    Golden-Grey:

    - usually quite slender, particularly the neck of the tail. There is usually, but not always, a gold mark on the gill cover, but this can also be present in thicklips. The pectoral fin is usually quite long and 'scimitar-like', but again, not always.

    		  

     
  • Head, lip, mouth, eye and pectoral:
  • Head, lip, mouth, eye and pectoral:
    		•   
     

    Thicklip:

    Thicklip:

    Thinlip:

    - golden colouration in the eyes

    Thinlip:

    - golden colouration in the eyes

    Golden-Grey:

    Golden-Grey:

    		  
     

    - pectoral fins tend to look stubby when seen swimming

    - pectoral fins tend to look stubby when seen swimming

    		  
     

    - note the papillae on the top lip, absent in the other two species, but usually present in thicklips

    - note the papillae on the top lip, absent in the other two species, but usually present in thicklips

    		  
     

     

  • Jugular space, between gill covers:
  • Jugular space, between gill covers:
    		•   
     

    Thicklip:

    Thicklip:

    - papillae clearly visible

    - papillae clearly visible, again

    Thinlip:

    Thinlip:

    Golden-Grey:

    Golden-Grey:

    		  

     

    Please see also the National Mullet Club ID Guide

    Please see also the National Mullet Club ID Guide

    Last updated 16.09.21