Author: Linnaeus, 1758
FBname: Flathead grey mullet
Remark: Genetic data indicate that <i>Mugil cephalus</i> is globally a complex of species,  At least 14 species (incl. former synonyms) have been recognized.  The name should be applied only in North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean,  Where species are sympatric, genetic and ecological data have confirmed the species validity (Refs. 89471,123406; 123405).
Comments: Adults are found in coastal waters (Ref. 2850, 44894, 57400), often entering estuaries and rivers (Ref. 2847, 3573, 11230, 44894, 57400), sometimes far-up-river, lagoons and hypersaline environments (Ref. 57400).  They are usually in schools over sand or mud bottom (Ref. 2850), between 0 and 10 m, occurring equally in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters (Project MUGIL).  They are mainly diurnal, feeding on detritus, micro-algae and benthic organisms (Ref. 56548, 74902, 74760).  Juveniles feed on zooplankton until about 3.0 cm SL (Ref. 59043).  Reproduction takes place at sea, at various times of the year depending on the location (Ref. 74907, Amour).  Adults form schools and migrate offshore to spawn and developing larvae migrate back inshore (Ref. 81659). There is absence of an obligatory freshwater phase in the life cycle (Ref. 74752).   Females spawn 0.8 to 2.6 million eggs which develop at sea (Ref. 74912, Chen & Su 1986).  Sexually mature at 3 to 4 years (Ref. 74902).  Maximum length reported as 120 cm SL (Ref. 7399, 57400, 81659) remains to be confirmed (Project MUGIL).  Maximum weight reported as 12 kg (Ref. 56527) seems too high for the area and remains to be confirmed (Project MUGIL).  Widely cultivated in freshwater and brackish ponds (Ref. 2847, Jackson 1984, Liao 1981).  Marketed fresh, dried, salted, and frozen; roe sold fresh or smoked (Ref. 9321); also used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).