Whiting or Merlangius merlangus was once though to be a poor man's fish, but recent declines in the populations of many other edible fish have made it increasingly important in the Baltic and Black Seas, as well as the North Atlantic Ocean. These saltwater fish go by a few different names throughout the world including Merlan, Plegonero, European whiting, Hvilling and Valkoturska.
Whiting fish can grow to about 70cm maximum and are normally found between 30 and 100 meters deep on the sandy bottom. They will often feed on cephalopods, crabs, shrimp, mollusks and smaller fish. These fish have chin barbels on their faces when they are young that tend to disappear as they mature. You can check out two similar species of Whiting known as the Sand Whiting or Sillago ciliata fighting in the video below...
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Firstly, you have a great site, thanks for all the great information.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would like to point out that while your entry is dedicated to the identification of the species Merlangius merlangus, the video you have posted is of the Australian species of Sillago ciliata, also commonly known as the Sand Whiting. Perhaps you may want to note the existing of that confusing terminology in regards to the common name "whiting."
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, I have added in a note into the post : ) Many thanks and let me know if I missed any major species...
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