The grey mullet is a member of the family Mugilidae, which includes some eighty species of fresh- and salt-water fish. The grey mullet is particularly resistant to changes in salinity and is frequent in the open sea, brackish lagoons and areas of freshwater. It has a rugged body, trapezoid in anterior section, becoming cylindrical in the centre, with a strong, high caudal peduncle. The powerful head has a short face and terminal mouth, with evident but not very fleshy lips. It is a very unfussy eater, feeding on any material in suspension, benthic invertebrates and decomposing organic matter. It is similar in colour to other mullets but is distinguished by the six or seven longitudinal brownish-black stripes on its greyish-silver flanks, while its underside is white with silver flashes. It is also recognizable on account of its broad head, dark patch at the base of the pectoral fins and eyes covered with an adipose eyelid. It can reach a maximum length of 80 cm and a weight of around 4.5 kg. Specimens achieve sexual maturity when they reach 20 cm in length and lay their eggs in the sea. After birth, the fry make for the coast and swim up rivers and streams. Grey mullet is caught in a variety of ways, but is also farmed in fishing reserves. Minimum size is 20 cm.