Age and growth of the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) in the coastal water of Yeosu

The age and growth of flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus, were studied using samples collected from the coastal water of Yeosu from September 2009 to August 2010. Spawning season estimated from the gonadosometic index (GSI) was from November to January. A method for increasing the readability of the otolith was described and criteria for the interpretation of otolith was provided. The annual ring was formed in September once a year. Annual ring in otolith for flathead grey mullet is validated for fish aged 1-8 using the marginal increment analysis. Using the sectioned otolith, between reader precision was 84%. Also, Within-reader agreement for sectioned otolith age readings was higher (reader 1=84%, reader 2=87%). The relationship between fork length and total weight was TW=$0.022FL^{2.818}$. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters for the flathead grey mullet were $L_{\infty}$=67.97cm K=0.164/year and $t_o$=-0.81year.