Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Merlangius merlangus
- Common name
- Whiting
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Gadidae
- Genus
- Merlangius
- Size
- 20–70 cm
- Depth
- 10–200 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic
Description
Merlangius merlangus reaches 70 cm. Fusiform silver body with grey-yellow back, three dorsal and two anal fins like all gadids, characteristic black spot at the pectoral fin base. No chin barbel unlike cod. Forms schools on sandy bottoms and in midwater from 10 to 200 m, from Norway to Portugal and in the eastern Mediterranean. Significant commercial fishery in the English Channel and North Sea.
Photo of Whiting
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Whiting?
- Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) reaches 20–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Whiting?
- Whiting is found between 10–200 m deep.
- Is the Whiting dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Whiting?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Whiting?
- Found in: East Atlantic.
Other species in the family Gadidae
- Melanogrammus aeglefinus - Haddock
- Trisopterus luscus - Pouting
- Trisopterus minutus - Poor cod
- Pollachius pollachius - Pollack
- Trisopterus esmarkii - Norway pout
- Pollachius virens - Pollock
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126438)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2415788)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia