Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable. Eat responsibly. Enjoy your meal and always respect sustainable sizes and breeding seasons! Due to ineffective legislation that does not take into account the species biology, the legal size of this fish is substantially lower than the sustainable size. This makes it particularly important to respect the sustainable size shown.

Mullus barbatus barbatus is not generally considered toxic but relatively high levels of Arsenic and Mercury were reported in individuals of this species near Montenegro.

Reddish-pink body with orange-brown and yellow patches on the body. Two widely separated dorsal fins, and a pair of barbels under the chin that are smaller or the same lenth as the pectoral fin. Steep head profile, with mouth on ventral side. Looks like: Mullus surmuletus (Striped Red Mullet): M. surmuletus has a striped first dorsal fin, while M. barbatus does not. Both found over sand and mud, using the barbels as probes to churn up the sediment in search of food.

Red mullets have barbels that help them detect food!