FishDatabase

Kanda Mullet

Valamugil engeli

Mugilidae · saltwater and brackish water fish

1 minute read · Species guide

Kanda Mullet field guide illustration

About Kanda Mullet

Kanda mullet are small, silvery Indo-Pacific mullet with a dark-edged forked tail.

IntroducedSaltBrackish1 states

Natural history

The USGS account distinguishes a dusky back, two dorsal fins of equal height, and thin forward-facing lips. Tiny teeth can occur along the lip edges but may be absent in adults, so their absence alone does not rule out the species.

The native range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea toward Japan, Micronesia, and the Marquesas. Its Hawaiian history includes accidental transport with a shipment of Marquesan sardines in 1955. Juveniles have been recorded in exceptionally warm tide pools, but such a field observation does not establish a recommended temperature for captive care.

Sources: kanda species profile

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Identification and appearance

Valamugil engeli is a smaller bodied mullet that is silvery in color, turning slightly dusky dorsally. This species has a forked caudal fin with a narrow black margin; the dorsal fins are equally high (Randall 2003). It has thin lips that are directed forward with tiny teeth on the edge of the lips that may be absent in adults (Randall 2003).

Native range

Valamugil engeli range in the Indo-Pacific region from East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Micronesia, and the Marquesas (Mundy 2005).

Habitat and ecology

Juveniles have been found living in 40°C water in tidepools (Myers 1989).

Introduction history

Inadvertenly stocked along with a shipment of Marquesan sardines from the Marquesas in 1955 (Randall 1987).

Range

Where it lives

Share of 54 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.
0%
100%
Share of 54 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.
USGS NAS habitat
Brackish;Marine
US status
Exotic — the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists it as introduced from outside North America.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Mugiliformes
Family
Mugilidae
Genus
Valamugil
Species
Valamugil engeli
ITIS TSN
170422
WoRMS AphiaID
218902
GBIF key
9539903
Outside the US
ITIS also files it in Central Pacific Territories.

Common questions about Kanda Mullet

What is the scientific name of Kanda Mullet?
The scientific name is Valamugil engeli, in the family Mugilidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Kanda Mullet live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.
Where has Kanda Mullet been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 1 states, with the most records in Hawaii. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

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