Flathead grey mullet – Mugil cephalus

Flathead grey mullet, Flathead Grey Mullet - Mugil cephalus, Mugil cephalus
Size: 100 cm
Depth: 0 - 120 m

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Aegean Sea, Arabian Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Azov Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caspian Sea, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Euboean Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, Ionian Sea, Marmara Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Sardinia Island, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea, Yellow Sea

The Flathead Grey Mullet, scientifically known as Mugil cephalus, is a common and widespread species of fish found in coastal waters around the globe. This species exhibits a diverse range of characteristics and behaviors, making it a fascinating subject of study for marine biologists and enthusiasts alike.

Description & Characteristics

The Mugil cephalus is a silvery-grey fish with a distinctive flattened head and a slightly compressed body. Its scales are small and cycloid, and its dorsal fin is composed of two separate parts, the first having four spines and the second having eight to nine soft rays. This fish typically reaches a maximum length of 100.0 cm, making it a relatively large species of mullet.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Mugil cephalus exhibits a broad tolerance for salinity and temperature, allowing it to inhabit a wide range of coastal environments. This fish can be found in estuaries, lagoons, and coastal waters, including the intertidal zone and open ocean. It is commonly encountered in the marine zones of the neritic, oceanic, and epipelagic, with a depth range extending from the surface to 120.0 meters. This adaptable nature contributes to its widespread distribution, making it a prominent fish in many coastal ecosystems around the world.

Taxonomy

The species Mugil cephalus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Mugiliformes, and Family: Mugilidae. This classification places it within a group of fish known as mullets, which are characterized by their distinctive physical features and feeding habits.

Feeding

The Mugil cephalus is an omnivorous feeder, consuming a wide variety of food items. Its diet consists of algae, amphipods, aquatic plants, clams, copepods, daphnia salina, detritus, insects, invertebrates, ostracodes (seed shrimps), phytoplankton, sea squirts, snails, sponges, worms, and zooplankton. This diverse diet reflects its adaptable feeding strategy, allowing it to thrive in a variety of habitats and utilize available food resources efficiently.

Associated Species

Image References

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