Species · GBIF taxon 2415788
Whiting
Merlangius merlangusAlso known as Merling, English Whiting
Whiting are slender, silvery-blue members of the cod family that form large, active schools over sandy and muddy sea floors. Young individuals often seek shelter among the stinging tentacles of large jellyfish, gaining protection from predators while feeding on planktonic leftovers. As they mature, they move into deeper offshore waters, playing a vital role as both predator and prey in the marine food web.
MarineSchoolingCarnivorous
Licensed referenceGeorges Jansoone / CC BY 3.0 · CC BY 3.0
- diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on small fish, crabs, shrimp, and marine worms.
- family
- Gadidae
- threats
- Commercial overfishing, bycatch, and habitat degradation from bottom trawling.
- life Span
- Up to 20 years
LC
Safe to handle, though watch for sharp gill covers and dorsal spines.
- Angling: Use light tackle with worm or fish baits near sandy bottoms during cooler months.
- Observation: Look for juveniles swimming safely alongside jellyfish in shallow coastal waters during summer.