Are goatfishes the same as gray mullets?

No. Goatfishes belong to the family Mullidae, while gray mullets are in a different family, Mugilidae; the English name "mullet" is used for both groups in different contexts.

Why are goatfishes called red mullets?

The family name and the English common name "mullet" derive from the Latin mullus (the red mullet); "red mullet" is also used more narrowly for species in the genus Mullus.

Where do goatfishes fit taxonomically?

They are ray-finned fishes of the family Mullidae, the sole family in the suborder Mulloidei of the order Syngnathiformes.

Is "Mullidae" a genus or a family?

Mullidae is a family; the genus Mullus is one genus within that family.

Does "red mullet" always mean goatfish?

Not always; "red mullet" often refers to members of Mullidae (especially genus Mullus), but common names can vary by region and context.

Does this group include the striped red mullet or surmullet?

The source notes the striped red mullet (surmullet) as among names related to red mullet usage, but does not provide taxonomic details for that common name.

Are goatfishes a single species?

No. The source describes goatfishes as a family (Mullidae), which contains multiple species; it does not list individual species.

Is Mullidae the only family in Mulloidei?

Yes. According to the source, Mullidae is the only family in the suborder Mulloidei.

Where to See Goatfish While Diving

Goatfishes, also called mullets or red mullets, are ray-finned fishes in the family Mullidae. Mullidae is the only family in the suborder Mulloidei within the order Syngnathiformes. The term "red mullet" can refer specifically to species in the genus Mullus, while the English word "mullet" more commonly refers to fishes of a different family (Mugilidae, the gray mullets).

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Okinawa, Auckland + Hauraki Gulf, Hurghada (Giftun and Abu Nuhas) and countries such as Egypt, New Zealand, Australia for divers building trips around goatfish.