Plicomugil labiosus (Valenciennes, 1836)
Hornlip mullet
Hornlip mullet,  Fringe-lip mullet
Plicomugil labiosus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Mugilidae (Mullets)
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marshall Islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Olive dorsally; silvery ventrally (Ref. 9812). Description: Characterized by having whitish fins; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales; snout shorter than eye diameter; very thick upper lip; deep longitudinal fold near ventral edge on upper lip, splitting lip into upper and lower lobes fringed with ridges of horny epidermis; thin and directed forward lower lip fringed with ridges of horny epidermis; upper and lower lip folds tucked under preorbital at corners of mouth; absence of adipose eyelid; deeply notched preorbital on anteroventral edge; emarginate caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occur in coastal waters, mainly in reef flats and shallow lagoon reefs; often in silty habitats Form schools at the surface (Ref. 9710, 48637). Usually swimming in surface waters near freshwater run-offs. Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Used as live bait in pole-and-line tuna fishing (Ref. 9812).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from the Great Barrier Reef (Ref. 9812), Queensland to Sydney area (Ref. 9002)


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