What is "mullus barbatus"

Mullet \Mul"let\, n. [OE. molet, mulet, F. mulet, fr. L. mullus.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil; -- called also gray mullets. They are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as food. Among the most valuable species are Mugil capito of Europe, and Mugil cephalus which occurs both on the European and American coasts.

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of the genus Mullus, or family Mullid[ae]; called also red mullet, and surmullet, esp. the plain surmullet ( Mullus barbatus), and the striped surmullet ( Mullus surmulletus) of Southern Europe. The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See Surmullet.

   French mullet. See Ladyfish (a) .

The red mullet (Mullus barbatus) is a species of goatfish found in the Mediterranean Sea, Marmara Sea, the Black Sea and the eastern North Atlantic Ocean from Scandinavia to Senegal.

FishBase currently recognizes two subspecies though the validity of M. b. ponticus is uncertain:

• M. b. barbatus (Red Mullet) Linnaeus, 1758 (found throughout range)
• M. b. ponticus (Blunt-snouted Mullet) Essipov, 1927 (found in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov)