Fish
Whiting
Merlangius merlangus
(IV) North Sea, (VIId) Eastern English Channel
Zones de pêche
Wild
Origine
27 cm
Taille minimale
Description
Whiting is a marine fish belonging to the Gadidae family (cod, hake, whiting). It has an elongated body, slightly compressed laterally, with a relatively small head and a terminal mouth.
Its coloration ranges from silvery-gray to light brown on the back, lighter on the sides and belly. A characteristic dark spot is often visible at the base of the pectoral fin.
It has three dorsal fins and two anal fins (typical of gadids).
Its typical size ranges from 25 to 40 cm.
Its maximum size is around 70 cm.
It is a schooling species, especially among juveniles.
Its coloration ranges from silvery-gray to light brown on the back, lighter on the sides and belly. A characteristic dark spot is often visible at the base of the pectoral fin.
It has three dorsal fins and two anal fins (typical of gadids).
Its typical size ranges from 25 to 40 cm.
Its maximum size is around 70 cm.
It is a schooling species, especially among juveniles.
Habitat
Whiting is a demersal to bentho-pelagic species, living mainly near the seabed.
It is found over sandy, muddy, or gravelly bottoms. It inhabits depths ranging from the surface to about 200 m, most commonly between 30 and 100 m.
It is a typical species of the continental shelf and is rarely found offshore.
Juveniles may frequent more coastal and shallow areas, while adults occupy deeper waters.
It is found over sandy, muddy, or gravelly bottoms. It inhabits depths ranging from the surface to about 200 m, most commonly between 30 and 100 m.
It is a typical species of the continental shelf and is rarely found offshore.
Juveniles may frequent more coastal and shallow areas, while adults occupy deeper waters.
Distribution
This species is found exclusively in the northeastern Atlantic.
In the northeastern Atlantic, it is found from Norway to the Bay of Biscay and in adjacent seas: the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea, and the Skagerrak.
It is also found in the northwestern Mediterranean (primarily the Gulf of Lion).
The species is absent from the western Atlantic.
In the northeastern Atlantic, it is found from Norway to the Bay of Biscay and in adjacent seas: the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea, and the Skagerrak.
It is also found in the northwestern Mediterranean (primarily the Gulf of Lion).
The species is absent from the western Atlantic.