The red mullet has an elongated, slightly laterally compressed body and a short, truncated snout that appears almost vertical. Its colouration is typically pinkish-red, becoming more intense in freshly caught individuals. A distinctive feature of this species, and of the Mullus, is the presence of two sensory barbels located under the lower jaw. These barbels are rich in mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors, allowing the fish to detect small invertebrates hidden in the sediment.

The red mullet feeds by actively probing sandy or muddy seabeds with its barbels, searching for worms, crustaceans, and other benthic organisms. During this feeding process, it disturbs and aerates the surface sediment, which can contribute to oxygenation of the seabed and nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems. The species is typically observed living in small groups or scattered individuals over soft-bottom habitats along the continental shelf.

The red mullet is highly valued in Mediterranean fisheries, particularly in artisanal and trawl fisheries, and has long been appreciated in traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Its white, delicate, and aromatic flesh makes it one of the most prized coastal fish species in the region.