Flathead grey mullet

Mújol (Mugil cephalus), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2020-07-23, DD 19

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Mugil cephalus

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colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Flathead grey mullet
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
colspan=2 style="min-width:15em; text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Scientific classification
Missing taxonomy template ([//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?action=edit&title=Template:taxonomy/Mugil&preload=Template:Taxonomy/preload fix]):	Mugil
Species	Template:Taxonomy/Mugil M. cephalus
colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/Mugil Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758

The Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a species of mullet found in coastal tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. It is a member of the family Mugilidae.

Description

The Flathead grey mullet has a robust, elongated body with a broad, flat head. The body is typically silver-grey with darker shades on the back and lighter on the belly. They have two separate dorsal fins, the first with four spines and the second with one spine and eight soft rays. The pectoral fins are high on the body, and the anal fin has three spines and eight or nine soft rays. Adult mullets can reach up to 100 cm in length, though they are more commonly found at lengths of 30-50 cm.

Distribution and Habitat

Flathead grey mullets are found in coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of salinities, from freshwater to hypersaline conditions. They are commonly found in shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms and are often seen in schools.

Diet and Feeding

Flathead grey mullets are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet includes algae, detritus, small invertebrates, and zooplankton. They use their specialized mouthparts to scrape algae and detritus from surfaces and to sift through sediment for food.

Reproduction

The reproductive behavior of the Flathead grey mullet involves spawning in the open sea. Spawning typically occurs in the warmer months, and the eggs are pelagic, meaning they float in the water column. After hatching, the larvae are carried by currents to coastal and estuarine areas where they grow and develop.

Economic Importance

Flathead grey mullets are of significant economic importance in many regions. They are harvested for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and for their roe, which is used to produce bottarga. They are also popular in aquaculture due to their hardiness and adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Conservation Status

The Flathead grey mullet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and large population. However, they are subject to overfishing in some areas, and habitat degradation poses a threat to their populations.

See Also

• Mullet (fish)
• Aquaculture
• Bottarga