🐟 Mullet (Mugil cephalus): The Estuarine Fish of the Sella River
The mullet or mújol (Mugil cephalus) is a species typical of transitional zones between sea and river, such as estuaries, harbors, and river mouths. In the case of the Sella River, it is often seen from Ribadesella up to higher areas like Cangas de Onís, especially in spring and summer.
🔎 Morphology and Behavior
This fish is distinguished by its two separate dorsal fins:
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The first has 4 spiny rays.
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The second has soft rays, giving it flexibility in shallow waters.
Mullets are social fish that travel in schools and can gather in large numbers near the coast or at river mouths, such as the Sella.
🌿 Diet and Ecological Role
Its diet consists mainly of:
• Fine algae and diatoms
• Organic detritus found in bottom sediments
Thanks to this feeding behavior, the mullet contributes to the natural cleaning of the water and the balance of the Sella’s estuarine ecosystem.
📍 Presence in the Sella River
You can spot this species in:
- 🔹 Lower stretches of the river, near Ribadesella
- 🔹 The Sella estuary, especially during spring tides
- 🔹 Inland waters up to Cangas de Onís, if salinity and temperature conditions allow
tag: wildlife river sella
