Grey Mullet Fish: Introduction, Morphology & it's Characteristics.

Grey mullet, also known simply as mullet, are a group of fish species belonging to the family Mugilidae. They are characterized by their elongated bodies, forked tails, and usually silver-gray coloration. Grey mullet are found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats worldwide, often inhabiting estuaries, coastal waters, and rivers. They are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant matter, algae, and small invertebrates. Grey mullet are economically important in many regions, both as a target for commercial fishing and as a popular catch for recreational anglers. Additionally, they play a role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems through their feeding habits.

1. GREY
MULLET
FISH

2. UNIVERSITY OF CHAKWAL
PRESENTED BY : JAVERIA KIRAN
PRESENTED TO : DR. NADIA AHMED
SUBJECT : ICHTHYOLOGY
REGISTERATION NUMBER : 20M-UOC/ZOL-19
DATE: 6
TH
APRIL, 2024

3. GREY MULLET FISH
•Scientific Name: Mugilcephalus
•Elongated, silver-grey body with a protruding lower jaw, small pointed head, and
streamlined shape.
•Found in coastal and estuarine waters worldwide, tolerating a wide range of salinity
levels .
•Omnivorous, feeding on algae, plankton, small invertebrates, and detritus.( Crosetti
et al ., 2016)

4. CLASSIFICATION:
•Kingdom: Animalia
•Phylum: Chordata
•Class: Actinopterygii(Ray-finned fishes)
•Order: Mugiliformes
•Family: Mugilidae(Mullets)
•Genus: Mugil
•Species: Mugilcephalus

5. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
•Elongated, silver-grey body
•Protruding lower jaw
•Small pointed head
•Streamlined shape for efficient swimming
(Ghasemzadehet al., 2015)
Figure: grey mullet
(https://images.app.goo.gl/BRFvHC
Tvpw9hc1cu9)

6. DISTRIBUTION
•Grey mullet are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical waters.
•found in coastal marine and estuarine waters, often in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
•along the coastlines of North America, Europe, and Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.
•They are common in the Mediterranean Sea and its connected water bodies
•Grey mullet are also found in the Indo-Pacific region, including waters around Australia, Asia, and
the Pacific Islands . (Cardona et al., 2006)

7. IMPORTANCE
•Grey mullet help maintain ecosystem balance by consuming
organic matter and contributing to nutrient cycling.
•They are commercially important worldwide for human
consumption and aquaculture.
•Grey mullet are culturally significant in coastal communities and
valued for their culinary uses.
•Changes in grey mullet populations can indicate environmental
health and water quality. (Cardona et al., 2006)
Figure: grey mullet as food
consumption by human being
(https://images.app.goo.gl/HFYhF8d
dpgekMzJF7)

8. INTERESTING FACTS
•Grey mullet can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments,
showcasing remarkable adaptability. (Reference: Brito et al., 2020)
•They primarily feed on algae and plant matter, using specialized teeth for
scraping
•They are considered bioindicators, as their presence or absence can indicate
the health of coastal ecosystems . ( Crosettiet al., 2019)

9. MORPHOLOGY OF GREY MULLET
•Body Shape: Grey mullet typically have elongated, cylindrical bodies with slightly
flattened sides.
•Coloration: They are often grey or silver in color, sometimes with darker patches or
stripes along their sides.
•Fins: Grey mullet have a dorsal fin located along the back, a ventral fin on the underside,
and a caudal fin (tail fin) that is deeply forked, aiding in propulsion.
•Mouth and Teeth:They have a small, terminal mouth with thick lips . (Ghasemzadehet
al., 2015)

10. •Eyes: Their eyes are typically located high on the sides of
their heads
•Scales: Grey mullet have cycloid scales, which are
smooth and overlapping.
•Gill Covers: Like many fish, grey mullet have opercula,
which are bony plates covering their gills and aiding in
respiration.
•Swim Bladder: an internal gas-filled organ that helps
them control buoyancy and maintain position in the
water column . ( Ghasemzadehet al., 2015)
Figure: grey mullet
(https://images.app.goo.gl/SwR422
YNjQc7Y1xE9)

11. PARENTAL BEHAVIOR:
•Gathering in specific areas like estuaries or coastal zones.
•Females release eggs into the water column
•where they are externally fertilized by males.
•The eggs are usually adhesive and may attach to substrates or drift with the currents.
•After spawning, grey mullet parents typically provide little to no parental care.
•The eggs and larvae develop independently in the water column . (Patilet al., 2022).

12. MIGRATORY BEHAVIOR:
•moving between estuaries, freshwater rivers, and marine environments.
•These migrations often occur seasonally
•influenced by factors such as temperature, salinity, food availability, and reproductive cycles.
•During the breeding season, grey mullets migrate to specific areas . (Colin et al., 2020)

13. REFRENCES
•Patil, P., Kailasm, M., Sukumaran, K., Thomas, D., & Hussain, T. (2022). Present status of grey mullet Mugil
cephalusfarming. RECENT ADVANCES IN HATCHERY SEED PRODUCTION AND FARMING OF
MILKFISH, 70.
•Colín, A., Hernández-Pérez, Z., Guevara-Chumacero, L. M., Castañeda-Rico, S., Serrato-Díaz, A., & Ibáñez, A.
L. (2020). Are striped mullet (Mugilcephalus) philopatric?. Marine Biology, 167, 1-15.
•Crosetti, D. (2016). Current state of grey mullet fisheries and culture. Biology, ecology and culture of grey
mullet (Mugilidae), 388-450.
•Ghasemzadeh, J., Crosetti, D., & Blaber, S. J. (2015). Musculoskeletal anatomy of the flathead grey mullet
Mugilcephalus. Biology, ecology and culture of grey mullets (Mugilidae), 128-164.
•Cardona, L. (2006). Habitat selection by grey mullets (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) in Mediterranean estuaries:
the role of salinity. ScientiaMarina, 70(3), 443-455.