why do mullet jump

[doss]

hey every1,

i was just wounder why do mullet jump is it beacause some think is chasing it.

cheers doss

[ellicat]

There seems to be no consensus as to why they jump. Sometimes it's flight, sometime it's an oxygen thing, sometimes (and probably most) is just because they can.

[doss]

kk thanks becasue we where at mount crosby weir and every few seconds there was 1 jumpin and there was some massive splashes behind the when they hit they water and some where jumping for like 3-4 jumps so we thought some fish where smashing them?

[Mr FeLiX]

Hey buddy,

I've heard so many different opinions on the subject.

I know they are a spooky fish though, so I imagine any little flicker near them in their environment would send them 'boofing'.

I know they jump when being pursued for sure though, i've seen them jumping down home with a big bully carving up the surface behind it.

My 2 cents.

Felix

[doss]

thanks man

doss

[Gad]

Found this,I have also been told a 3rd reason was to also attempt to get rid of parasites.

Mullet jump out of the water for two main reasons (according to theory): to avoid predators and as a form of aerial respiration. By jumping to gain oxygen, mullet can remain underwater in low oxygen concentration areas for up to 5 minutes, something impossible through normal fish respiratory methods.

Sea mullet feed on sediments that are found in these low oxygen areas, so jumping occurs more often during the day when mullet are feeding. For like reasons, mullet rarely jump at night, when they are not feeding. Therefore, no, mullet do not jump out of the water all the time, but they do jump out of the water frequently.

Citations:http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Asia/India/photo208042.htm

Read more: http://greenanswers.com/q/83443/animals-wildlife/behavior/do-mullet-jump-out-water-all-time#ixzz17DtR89IK

[doss]

that right

cheers doss

[Dudzy]

I've noticed that while having baits in the water waiting for bullies that when the mullet start jumping usually a bully is inspecting the baits or just passing through.

[Rocket75]

perhaps for the same reason that dogs lick their balls?

[Travis]

sun

[Gad]

sun

Travis...how does the sun come into dogs licking their rattles

[Travis]

sun wouldnt come into it if i could lick mine :evil: someone once told me they jump for the sun...

[kreel]

...because they can't skip? :dry: