Pseudomyxus capensis (Valenciennes, 1836)
Freshwater mullet
Pseudomyxus capensis
photo by SFSA

Family:  Mugilidae (Mullets)
Max. size:  45 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, catadromous
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to South Africa, in east coastal estuaries and rivers from the BreĆ« River to Kosi Bay (Ref. 7248, 52193).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Adipose eyelids rudimentary, just visible in adults; upper jaw, maxilla, mostly hidden when mouth closed (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 5 spines and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; origin of anal fin in advance of origin of second dorsal fin (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral series 43-45 (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Silvery grey in colour (Ref. 4393, 52193).

Biology:  Adults occur in freshwater to estuarine conditions. Adults breed at sea, throughout the year; juveniles move into estuaries and enter rivers usually in late winter or early spring (Ref. 52193). Females remain in freshwater for 7 years, males for 4 years (Ref. 52193). Return to estuaries before maturing sexually prior to spawning (Ref. 52193). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Feed on benthic algae and small invertebrates over muddy bottom (Ref. 6465). Decline in population from obstruction, by dams and weirs, of free passage into rivers.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.