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Mullet, any of the abundant, commercially valuable schooling fishes of the family Mugilidae (order Perciformes). Mullets number fewer than 100 species and are found throughout tropical and temperate regions. Tainha is the Brazilian Portuguese name for this fish.

They generally inhabit salt water or brackish water and frequent shallow, inshore areas, commonly grubbing about in the sand or mud for microscopic plants, small animals, and other food. They are silvery fishes 30?90 cm (1?3 feet) long, with large scales; relatively stocky, cigar-shaped bodies; forked tails; and two distinct dorsal fins, the first containing four stiff spines. Many have strong, gizzardlike stomachs and long intestines capable of handling a largely vegetarian diet.

The common, or striped, mullet (Mugil cephalus), cultivated in some areas because of its rapid growth rate, is a well-known species found worldwide. The red surmullet, also called red mullet, is an unrelated species of the goatfish family.

One of the world's largest populations is in the Atlantic waters off the coast of the southern Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. For most of the year enormous schools of mullets live off the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, but in the months of May and June they migrate north to Santa Catarina in search of warmer water and suitable spawning grounds. 

 

Read More in : http://www.britannica.com/animal/mullet-fish