Freshwater mullet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freshwater mullet |
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The freshwater mullet (Pseudomyxus capensis) is a special type of fish. It belongs to the mullet family. This fish is found only in South Africa, which means it is endemic there.
Contents
Where the Freshwater Mullet Lives
The freshwater mullet lives only in South Africa. You can find it along the coast. Its home stretches from Kwazulu-Natal in the east. It goes all the way to the Western Cape in the west. This includes areas from Kosi Bay to the Breede River.
Habitat and Life Cycle
Where They Live
These fish like to live in estuaries. Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea. Young freshwater mullets need to go into freshwater parts of rivers. This helps them grow big and stay safe.
How They Grow and Reproduce
Adult freshwater mullets travel to the sea to lay their eggs. This is called spawning. After they lay eggs, the young fish, called juveniles, move into estuaries. Then they swim up into the rivers. This usually happens in late winter or early spring.
Young female mullets stay in the rivers for about seven years. Young male mullets stay for about four years. After this time, they become adults. They then return to the sea to reproduce.
What They Eat
Freshwater mullets are not picky eaters. They mostly feed on tiny algae that grow on the bottom. They also eat small invertebrates. These foods are found in muddy areas of their habitat.
Protecting the Freshwater Mullet
The number of freshwater mullets has gone down. Their homes have been affected by dams built on rivers. Also, new types of fish have been brought into their waters. These new fish are called alien fish. They can cause problems for the native mullet.
Images for kids
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A freshwater mullet swimming in its habitat.
