Fish
Diamond Mullet
Planiliza alata
A silvery estuarine mullet with distinctive winged pectoral fins, common in KZN and Eastern Cape estuaries and surf.
Also known as diamantharder, harder, liza alata, winged mullet
- Typical size
- Commonly 30-50 cm
- Habitat
- Estuaries, lagoons, harbours and surf zones
- Depth
- Shallow water, surface to a few metres
The diamond mullet is a streamlined, silvery grey mullet named for the elongated, wing-like pectoral fin that carries a dark spot at its base. Like other mullets it has a small mouth and grazes over soft bottoms, sifting detritus, algae and micro-organisms from mud and sand rather than chasing prey.
It is a hardy estuarine and coastal fish, ranging through the warmer estuaries, lagoons and surf zones of KZN and the Eastern Cape and tolerating a wide swing in salinity. Schools move into estuaries to feed and grow before returning to sea to spawn. Spearos rarely target them, but they are a familiar sight to anyone working shallow estuarine water.