Merlangius merlangus (Whiting)
Additional Information
FishBase Fact File
Scottish Biodiversity List: Species of Principal Conservation Importance in Scotland
The whiting is a cod-like fish with an elongated body and small head with a pointed snout. It is blue-green on the dorsal surfaceand is silvery-white underneath with three dorsal fins and two anal fins. The pectoral fins are on the side and the pelvic fins are near the gills. The tail is truncate. Its upper jaw projects above the lower jaw. A small dark spot is found at the base of the pectoral fins and the lateral line is brown in colour whichdifferentiates it from similar species such as the haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus. It is very similar to the blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, but can be distinguished by the dorsal fins being close together.
Found off western Scotland, south-east England and the English Channel, and in the Irish Sea off the coasts of east England, Wales and Ireland.