The Red Mullet is a goatfish, so-called because of the two barbels like goat horns from its chin which it uses as feelers to search for food in the sand while moving around the seabed on its pelvic fins. It is native to the eastern Atlantic from Scandinavia to West Africa including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It can reach 30cm long but is usually far less. It is not closely related to the Grey Mullets but is related to other goatfish. Although it has lateral stripes, it is not a Striped Red Mullet - see below.

The Striped Red Mullet is a goatfish, so-called because of the two barbels like goat horns from its chin which it uses as feelers to search for food in the sand while moving around the seabed on its pelvic fins. It is native to the eastern Atlantic including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It can reach 40cm long but is usually far less. It is not closely related to the Grey Mullets but is related to other goatfish. It can be distinguished from the Red Mullet by the red stripes on its first dorsal fin, if visible (above centre), and by a redder tail.