Yelloweye Mullet

Aldrichetta forsteri

Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) is a schooling mullet of inshore coasts, estuaries, and surf zones. It feeds mainly on algae, detritus, and small benthic invertebrates, and is commonly used as both a baitfish and a table fish in parts of its range.

Freshwater

Yelloweye Mullet reference image — Tim Binns from Tomahawk, Australia, cc-by-sa, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Slender silver body with a distinctly yellowish eye
Small mouth and blunt head typical of mullets
Two separated dorsal fins, with a more strongly forked tail

Habitat

Shallow coastal waters, estuaries, harbors, tidal creeks, lagoons, and surf beaches, usually over sand, mud, seagrass, or mixed bottom. Often schools near the surface or midwater in calm to moderately turbid water.

Bait notes

Small pieces of bread, dough, shrimp, worm, mussel, or squid work well, as do tiny hooks baited lightly. Small bead-rigged floats, bread balls, and very small soft plastics or flies can take feeding schools.

Behavior

A nomadic schooling species that moves with tides and temperature. It grazes on plant matter and bottom films but also takes tiny crustaceans and worms; fish often feed in loose schools around current lines and estuary mouths.

Caution

No major species-specific hazard is notable; check local advisories and size/bag rules, since mullet regulations vary by region. Consume only from clean waters because estuary fish can reflect local contamination.

Fishing notes

Fish light line and small terminal tackle; present baits on or just above the bottom or under a float in calm water. Follow schools and work tidal rips, creek mouths, and wharf edges; chumming with bread or ground bait can hold fish nearby.