About Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1827)
The thicklip grey mullet, scientifically named Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1827), is a coastal fish belonging to the family Mugilidae. It typically reaches around 32 cm (13 in) in length, and the maximum recorded length for the species is 75 cm (30 in). It gets its common name from its thick upper lip and characteristic silvery-grey coloration. This is a common fish found in shallow, sheltered coastal areas, estuaries, and around power station and sewer outfalls, and it can also enter freshwater habitats. It lives in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Iceland to Senegal and Cape Verde, and can also be found in the Mediterranean Sea and the southwestern Black Sea. This species is partially migratory, and travels northward during the summer. Its diet consists mainly of benthic diatoms, epiphytic algae, small invertebrates, and detritus. The thicklip grey mullet lays its eggs in winter, and both its eggs and young fry are pelagic.
