Goatfishes
Mullus
Kosher
Has fins and scales
Fins
Yes
Scales
Yes
Description
Goatfish are eaten and some are prized. The two red mullets (Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus) were highly sought-after and expensive in ancient Rome, where they were sometimes brought to the table alive so diners could watch the color change.
Goatfish are found worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas. Most live near the seafloor in coastal zones, though some deep-water species reach about 500 meters. Tropical species live on coral reefs, and some enter estuaries and rivers.
Also known as
- Goat Fish
- Goatfish
- Kumu
- Mullet
- Red Mullet
- Surmullet
- Wekes
Kosher Goatfishes in foreign languages
| Scientific | Mullus |
| Hebrew | מולית |
| Spanish | Mullus |
| Portuguese | Mullus |
| French | Mullus |
| Italian | Mullus |
| German | Mullus |
| Russian | Барабули |
| Turkish | Mullus |
| Chinese | 羊魚屬 |
| Japanese | メダマヒメジ属 |
| Vietnamese | Mullus |
Warnings & Kosher Issues
- Kosher. Goatfish have fins and scales.
- The name mullet is misleading. Goatfish are a different family from the gray mullets (Mugilidae).