The present study addressed a knowledge gap in the population characteristics of flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus in the Algerian waters. For the first time, the growth, mortality rates, and exploitation status of this species were investigated from the commercial fishery of  El Mellah, the unique lagoon in the country. The length-weight equation was expressed as log TW = 2.9565 log TL - 1.8999. The length-frequency data was analyzed using ELEFAN I in the FiSAT II program package routines to provide information on the von Bertalanffy growth function parameters (L∞ =58.8cm, K=0.30 year^-1). Longevity (t_max=10 years) and the growth performance index (Φ′= 3.02) were also calculated. The instantaneous rate of total mortality (Z) was 0.75 yr^-1. The analysis of the natural (M) and the fishing mortality, as well as exploitation rate (E) using two empirical approaches, showed that Mugil cephalus from El Mellah lagoon is not under fishing pressure.