Planiliza planiceps (Valenciennes, 1836)
Tade gray mullet
photo by Vidthayanon, C.

Family:  Mugilidae (Mullets)
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m, catadromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea, Socotra to the west coast of India, Sri Lanka and extending to the east coast of India, Bangladesh, Andamans, Malaysia, China, the Marianas and Guam, the Philippines, and Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9
Biology:  Mostly found in marine waters, but enters estuaries and backwaters. Feed on small algae, diatoms, and other organic matter, both living and detrital, taken in with sand and mud. Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Spawning takes place at sea. Also caught with stakenets. Marketed fresh.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 June 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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