Mullet are fish which belong to the family Magilidae. There are close to a 100 species of mullet in this family. Although many unrelated fish are called mullet, true mullet are active fish that travel
in large schools throughout the tidal zones and in brackish water searching for food.

An interesting characteristic of the mullet is its way of feeding. Large schools may be found feeding on tiny organisims with their body at a 45û angle to the bottom, making them appear as if they are suspended upside down in the water. Mullet also feed on mussels, insect larvae, plankton, worms, snails and other crustateans.

The main predators of mullet are humans and barracuda. Although juvenile mullet may be preyed upon by other fish and waterbirds, including the American coot ('alae ke'oke'o) , Ae'o (Hawaiian stilt). It is not yet known what species of mullet may be found in the Hamakua Canal and Marsh. This will be the subject of further investigation