Our Consultant Aquarist describes Mullet as his favourite fish because “they don’t die in captivity”! and they certainly are one of the hardiest creatures in the sea. It is no coincidence that they are often found in huge numbers round sewage outflows: when other fish have turned tail and fled away from the pollution, Mullet are in heaven feeding away on any organic matter they can get their lips round.

Mullet have no real teeth, and instead rasp away with their thick lips at rocks containing algae and small invertebrates. They will eat anything which they can swallow that contains organic matter, and are common round piers and jettys where they will feed on bread or crisps if you are careful not to frighten them.

Despite their omnivorous attitude they are extremely difficult to catch by anglers. Part of this is because they have small mouths with thick lips which are difficult to hook, but also because they have excellent eye-sight, and the slightest movement, even of a shadow on the water, is enough to send an entire shoal diving to deeper waters.

The most common of the Grey Mullets is the Thick-Lipped Grey Mullet, but there are also Thin-Lipped and Golden variety to be found in Irish waters.