Mullet

Mullet is the common name for numerous species of fish in the family Mugilidae, found in coastal and estuarine habitats in warm temperate and tropical regions worldwide. The most well-known species include Mugil cephalus, the flathead mullet, among others in the Mugilidae family. They are typically elongated and silvery with a small, protrusible mouth.

Mullets are generally omnivorous, feeding on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates. They form schools and are highly tolerant of salinity changes, often moving between marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. Reproduction occurs in marine environments; after spawning, juveniles may inhabit estuaries or rivers, where they grow before migrating to the sea.

Mullets support commercial and subsistence fisheries in many regions. They are caught with nets and traps and are consumed fresh, smoked, or dried depending on local cuisine. Some species are important for aquaculture or as part of ecosystem management in estuarine zones.

The mullet hairstyle is characterized by shorter hair on the top and sides and longer hair at the back. It gained cultural prominence in the 1980s and has continued as a recurring motif in fashion and media, sometimes used pejoratively but also embraced as a retro or ironic style.