Greenback mullet

Greenback mullet
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Mugiliformes
Family:	Mugilidae
Genus:	Planiliza
Species:	P. subviridis
Binomial name
Planiliza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836)
Synonyms [2]
Chelon subviridis(Valenciennes, 1836) Mugil dussumieriValenciennes, 1836 Mugil subviridisValenciennes, 1836

Greenback mullet (Planiliza subviridis) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Mugilidae. ^[3]

Range

The species is a slender, cylindrical fish with a small mouth, large eyes, and swift, agile movements, often found schooling along Indo-Pacific coasts (from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Samoa and northern Japan) ^[3] .

Diet

It feeds on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and organic detritus, reaching up to 40 cm (16 in) in length with an average of 25 cm (10 in). ^{[3] [4]}

Agriculture

In Thailand, the Department of Fisheries promotes it as an aquaculture species, typically raised in earthen ponds at 10–20 fish/m², often polycultured with species such as green scat, clams, or mud crabs. Fed twice daily on formulated feed with less than 25% protein, they reach 50–200 g (1.8–7.1 oz) in 6–10 months, selling for 150–160 baht/kg. ^[4]

Its flesh is high in protein (20.5 g per 100 g, comparable to salmon) and contains only 64 mg cholesterol per 100 g. ^{[4] [5]}

References

1. Bru, E. (2022). "Chelon subviridis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022 e.T197050A2478575. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T197050A2478575.en . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
2. World Register of Marine Species link: Greenback mullet ( +species list )
3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Planiliza subviridis". FishBase . December 2015 version.
4. ""ปลากระบอกดำ" สัตว์น้ำเศรษฐกิจ ทางเลือกใหม่ ราคาดี คืนทุนเร็ว". Khaosod (in Thai). 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
5. TV5HD (2024-05-20). ""เกษตรเช้านี้" ตอน เลี้ยงปลากระบอกดำทางเลือกใหม่ของเกษตรกร จ.สงขลา". X (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-08-11.