Whiting
D-Wittling, Merlan; GB-Whiting, merling; DK-Hvilling; PL-Witlinek; LV-Merlangs; EST-Merlang; RU-Мерланг; FIN-Valkoturska; S-Vitling
Characters
1) Inferior mouth.
2) Small black spot above basis of pectoral fin.
3) First anal fin about 1,5-fold as long as second dorsal fin.
●) Barbel on chin very small (in young fish) or absent (in adult fish).
●) Three dorsal and 2 anal fins.
●) Flanks silvern, back shines greenish, abdomen lighter.
Often about 30 to 40 cm, max. up to 70 cm length.
Similar species
Saithe - mouth in superior position; first anal fin only slightly longer than second dorsal fin.
Pollack - mouth in superior position; first anal fin only slightly longer than second dorsal fin.
Haddock - big black spot above middle of pectoral fin; first anal fin only slightly longer than second dorsal fin.
Blue Whiting - Large distance between second and third dorsal fin (these fins touch each other in Whiting); first anal fin about 4-times as long as second dorsal fin; never with barbel on chin.
Biology
Lives near the bottom as a swarm fish in up to 200 m depth. Spawns in spring, about 1 million eggs per female. Juveniles often stay under the umbrella of jelly fish. Life expectancy 20 years.Diet
Feeds on other fish, as herring and young Gadiformes, as well as on shrimps.Importance
Important food fish.Merlangius merlangus
