Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) fish species and information / pictures of Whiting - Merlangius merlangus

Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Merlangius merlangus

Common Name
Whiting

Biology
More commonly found from 30 to 100 m, mainly on mud and gravel bottoms, but also on sand and rock. Feed on shrimps, crabs, mollusks, small fish, polychaetes and cephalopods. Migrate to the open sea only after the first year of life. Eggs are pelagic. Larvae and juveniles are associated with jellyfish. Upon maturity, small chin barbel characteristic of juveniles disappear. Spawn in batches. Utilized fresh, dried or salted, smoked and frozen; eaten steamed, broiled and baked.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Cods and haddocks (Gadidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic: southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland to Portugal, also in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea and adjacent areas. Rare in the northwestern Mediterranean.

Range

72°N - 35°N, 27°W - 42°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 10 - 200 m , usually 30 - 100 m

Trophic Level

4.37 s.e. 0.77 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

70.0 cm

Common Length

23.5 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (rm=1.1-1.6(?); K=0.1-0.16; tm=2-4; tmax=20; Fec=100,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated