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Dieren en planten

Fish   Cod family   Cod   Haddock   Whiting   Coal fish   Marine fauna   Sea fish   

Whiting

size:

maximum 70 centimeters
Dutch sportfishing record: 59 centimeters

weight:

maximum 3 kilograms

Leeftijd:

maximaal 20 jaar

Kleur:

green-brown back with silver-colored flanks

food:

shrimp and fish

enemies:

fisheries and other whiting

reproduction:

lays eggs
maturity: 2-4 years, ca 30 centimeters
number: 100,000 to 1 million per year

  • Dut: Wijting (Molenaar, Mooie meid)
  • Lat: Merlangius merlangus
  • Eng: Whiting, silver hake
  • Ger: Wittling, Merlan
  • Fren: Merlan
  • Dan: Hvilling
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Whiting, Ecomare

Whiting

Whiting is a predator fish. It has long pointed teeth for devouring other fish. Its favorite food is eel-pout, sprat, lesser sandeel, herring, cod, haddock and ... other whiting. Young whiting don't eat fish but squid, crustaceans and worms. Whiting larvae often hide between the tentacles of jellyfish, where they are protected from their enemies.

  • Cat food and fried fish

    Whiting in the Netherlands is not much appreciated as a consumption fish; it used to be a traditional treat for the cat. Because whiting isn't so attractive after being caught, it is usually fried for human consumption and sold as the Dutch treat 'lekkerbekjes' and kibbeling. In England, it is sold as 'fish and chips'. Whiting is also processed into feed for cattle and pet food as well as fishmeal for fish farms.

  • Distribution of whiting
    Distribution of whiting, Ecomare

    Whiting is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. It swims close to the bottom down to depths of 200 meters. Whiting is often seen swimming along the Dutch coast.