Lisa

Scientific name
Mugil cephalus

English name
Flathead grey mullet

Description
The flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a cosmopolitan species that inhabits coasts, estuaries, and lower river reaches, distinguished by its extraordinary ability to adapt to different salinity levels. Its elongated body, with an olive-grey back and silvery flanks, is common in shallow waters where it forms schools over sandy and muddy bottoms.

With gregarious behavior, the flathead grey mullet moves in groups and plays a key ecological role as a detritivorous and omnivorous species. It feeds on organic matter, microalgae, phytoplankton, and small invertebrates, actively contributing to nutrient recycling and the balance of coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

Its life cycle combines different environments: adults migrate to the open sea to reproduce, while juvenile stages grow in coastal areas and estuaries, making it a strategically important species for ecological connectivity between habitats.