Red mullet
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[edit] Description
The red mullet is highly valued as food fish, especially in the Mediterranean Region. The red mullets or surmullets are the species of goatfish, a small bottom-feeding fish. Red Mullet are demersal fish and sue their barbels to search for food. Considerable changes in colouration occur depending upon the situation, such as the time of day, stress, condition of the fish, etc. The belly is pale to white. Red mullet is classified as a round white fish but has a richer and more satisfying flavour than most thanks to its higher fat content. It is sometimes compared to shellfish in taste, and in fact feeds on them. There are two main types of red mullet available. As the name suggests, they have a red-coloured skin, but one has a thin yellow band running along its body, the other has an attractively mottled skin. Both are generally small, and considered best when under 500g in weight, though in ancient Rome they were highly prized and preferred much larger. The red mullet is no relation of the grey mullet.
[edit] Types of Mullet Fish
The striped mullet and the white mullet are the two most popular species caught in the waters off the shore of Florida. The striped mullet has other names like the grey, black and jumping mullet. The white mullet and the silver mullet are interchangeable names as well. Mullets are a tropical and sub-tropical fish found all over the world in these warmer waters. The mullet has a long body and is not a thin fish. It has a small mouth and weighs on average 3 pounds, though some mullets grow as large as 6 pounds.
[edit] Striped Mullet
Mullet fish are inexpensive and popular in warm climates to eat. The striped mullet is long and has a round head. The width of the striped mullet is greater than its height. The nose of the fish is short. The mouth is small even when open and the lips are very thin. The bottom lip of the striped mullet has a bump in the center. The eyelids are prominent, but only open to a very small slit for vision. The upper portion of the striped mullet is dark gray and the underside silver. The stripes on the mullet are lengthwise and the scales on the fish are olive-green or bluish-grey. The tail fin is forked.
[edit] Striped Flat Head
The striped flat head mullet is longer than the striped mullet. Both striped mullets have a torpedo shaped body for speed. The scales of the striped flat head mullet are large and olive-green or bluish-grey. The flat head's belly is white and the sides are silvery. On the side there is a horizontal black stripe. The head and mouth of the striped flat head mullet is smaller than the striped mullet. The flat head also has two dorsal fins.
[edit] White Mullets
The white mullet has a silvery body and a dark color top half. It has a small rounded head and mouth. It has colored stripes, but the color is faint and horizontal. The fins of the white mullet are larger than the striped mullet. The habitat of the white mullet is close to shore along inlet waters. White mullet innards make good bait for catching larger fish. Nets are used to catch white mullets.
[edit] Red Mullet
The red mullet has been a popular fish since ancient Greece. The red mullet is a small, bottom-feeding fish that's been popular since the time of the ancient Greeks. The red mullet is in abundance in the waters around Greece and is still used in local restaurants. The fish has a beard on the lower lip and rarely grows heavier than 2 pounds. In ancient Rome, the red mullet was a sign of wealth; the rich would keep it in ponds and hand feed it.
[edit] How to select
Look for red mullets which are bright pink streaked with gold in colour with a black striped front dorsal fin .An infaillible guide to freshness is the colour: if this begins to fade, the fish is going off.The flesh should be quite firm, the body almost rigid, the skin tight and the eyes prominent and clear. A fresh fish should smell like clean water, or a touch briny or even like cucumbers. Under no circumstances should you buy a nasty smelling fish. Look at the gills. They should be a rich red. If the fish is old, they will turn the color of faded brick. While buying red mullet fish fillets, look for a shiny skin which springs back after pressing. If there is liquid around the fish, it should be clear and not milky. It is always better to buy red mullet from a known fish seller or a well known fish store.
[edit] Culinary Uses
"Unusually for a fish, the red mullet's liver is considered a delicacy in its own right, and that's one reason why mullet are often sold and cooked ungutted. "Red mullet is good grilled, then served with a lively sauce such as salsa verde. It can also be shallow-fried, baked or cooked en papillote (in a bag). "In Europe and West Australia, red mullet were often viewed as a delicacy to be enjoyed on feast days and holidays. "Red mullet can be baked, steamed or even made into fish soups, cutlets and cold salads. "A few popular recipe with red mullet are red mullets with hazelnuts and fennel,red mullet in pesto sauce and red mullet with sea kale.
[edit] How to store
The fish is extremely perishable and must be consumed within a short time. If you caught the fish yourself, you will get as much as 2-3 days to store the fish in a refrigerator, preferably in a bed of crushed ice. A market-bought fish won't last that long, nor will a piece of fish such as a fillet or a steak. Those will remain at peak condition only for a day or two in refrigerator.
[edit] Health benefits
- Red mullet fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acid content, but increasing your consumption of all types of Fish and seafood is recommended to derive the best health benefits.
- They are excellent sources of Protein that are low in fat
- Red mullet is high in Vitamin D. Farm-raised catfish contains low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a much higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids
"The protein in fish is of high quality, containing an abundance of essential amino acids, and is very digestible for people of all ages.
- Red mullet is also generally lower in Fat and calories than beef, Poultry or pork.
- It is also loaded with minerals such as Iron, Zinc and Calcium
[edit] Mullet Fish Facts
Some interesting mullet fish facts are given here:
- Mullet fish or striped mullet are mainly found in warm, tropical areas and marine waters. It is also sometimes present in fresh waters, and are abundant primarily in Florida.
- The bodies of mullet fish are long and stout. Their scales are dark at the center, and therefore, appear to have a striped appearance. Thus, it is also popular as the striped mullet. They can grow up to 2½ feet and can weigh up to 6 pounds.
- The mullet fish diet includes plankton and Algae.
- The red mullet fish is a type of goatfish, that is found in the Black Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The red mullet fish only shares a common name with the gray mullet fish, and otherwise is only remotely related to the gray mullet.
- Both types of mullet fish are considered safe fish to eat, and can be eaten deep fried, oven baked, broiled, or smoked.
