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Dajaus monticola

(Bancroft, 1834)

Mountain Mullet

G5Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100752
Element CodeAFCQL01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderBlenniiformes
FamilyMugilidae
GenusDajaus
Synonyms
Agonostomus monticola(Bancroft, 1834)
Concept Reference
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Transferred from the genus Agonostomus to Dajaus (Page et al. 2023). One of several species in a very widespread genus (Lee et al. 1980).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date1996-09-25
Change Date1996-09-25
Edition Date2011-10-12
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Large range in the ocean and in streams; many occurrences.
Range Extent Comments
Range includes U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts from North Carolina to Texas; also known from Mexico, Central America, West Indies, Galapagos Islands, and northern South America (Miller 2005, Page and Burr 2011). Elevational range extends as high as 1,500 meters in some areas (Miller 2005).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact Comments
No major threats are known.
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Body rounded (in cross section) in front, compressed posteriorly; mouth small, terminal, and triangular; two dorsal fins, widely separated; first dorsal fin with four spines (first three close together); pelvic fins located on belly, much farther back than pectoral fins; no lateral line on body; brownish above, with a yellowish caudal fin that has a dusky blotch at the base on each side; dorsal and anal fins yellow at the base; black spot at base of pectoral fin; dusky stripe on side in young and many adults; anal fin with 2 spines and 10 soft rays; no adipose eyelid; head profile oblique, straight; nape somewhat humped; basal third or half of soft dorsal and anal fins scaled; young (to about 4 cm) have bright red stripe on side on front half of body; maximum total length about 30 cm (Robins and Ray 1986).

Diagnostic Characteristics

Differs from other western Atlantic mullets in having a dusky blotch at the base of a yellowish caudal fin, a black area at the pectoral fin axil, and usually a dark stripe on the side (Robins and Ray 1986).

Habitat

Adults and subadults ascend tropical and subtropical streams, often to headwaters; they occur (but may be rare) in pools and runs of small to medium rivers (Page and Burr 2001); adults occur mainly in the upper parts of clear tributaries that have strong currents and rocky bottoms (Miller 2005). Young occur at sea and have been found drifting in currents hundreds of miles from shore; they also occur in lower river courses (Miller 2005). Spawning occurs at sea (catadromous).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
North CarolinaS1Yes
GeorgiaSNRYes
FloridaS3Yes
TexasS2Yes
LouisianaS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
No known threats———

—

Roadless Areas (2)
Puerto Rico (2)
AreaForestAcres
El Toro AreaCaribbean National Forest12,584
Mameyes AreaCaribbean National Forest11,150
References (12)
  1. Gilbert, C.R. (editor). 1992. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Volume II. Fishes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. xl + 247 pp.
  2. Jelks, Howard and Jennifer Staiger (US Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL). 2010. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps.
  3. Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina. i-x + 854 pp.
  4. Marcy, B. C., Jr., D. E. Fletcher, F. D. Martin, M. H. Paller, and M.J.M. Reichert. 2005. Fishes of the middle Savannah River basin. University of Georgia Press, Athens. xiv + 460 pp.
  5. Miller, R. R. (with the collaboration of W. L. Minckley and S. M. Norris). 2005 [actually published in 2006]. Freshwater fishes of Mexico. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. 490 pp.
  6. Minckley, W. L., and P. C. Marsh. 2009. Inland fishes of the greater Southwest: chronicle of a vanishing biota. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, 426 pp.
  7. Nelson, J. S., E. J. Crossman, H. Espinosa-Perez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D. Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland. 386 pp.
  8. Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 2011. Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. xix + 663 pp.
  9. Page, L. M., H. Espinosa-Pérez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, R. L. Mayden, and J. S. Nelson. 2013. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seventh edition. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 34, Bethesda, Maryland.
  10. Page, L. M., K. E. Bemis, T. E. Dowling, H.S. Espinosa-Pérez, L.T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, K. E. Hartel, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, M. A. Neigbors, J. J. Schmitter-Soto, and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2023. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eighth edition. American Fisheries Society (AFS), Special Publication 37, Bethesda, Maryland, 439 pp.
  11. Robins, C. R., and G. C. Ray. 1986. A Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. 354 pp.
  12. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.