Largescale mullet (Planiliza macrolepis) is a saltwater, freshwater, brackish species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan. It is found at depths of ≥ 10 m.
Scientific name: Planiliza macrolepis · Water: Saltwater, Freshwater, Brackish
Size: up to 60 cm
The largescale mullet is a mugilid that ranges from brackish water right up into the freshwater reaches of rivers, moving in schools and gathering in larger aggregations to spawn at sea. It feeds on small algae, diatoms, forams, benthic polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs and organic detritus, while the fry take copepods and floating algae. It is oviparous, with pelagic, non-adhesive eggs. Commonly about 26 cm and up to 60 cm standard length, maturing at about 23 cm and living 6 years. It is caught mainly in the spawning season and sold fresh, and its roe is highly prized. IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
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