
Also known as:
Diver whiting
Eastern winter whiting
Spotted whiting
Trumpeter sillago
Western winter whiting
Winter whiting
Common Group Name:
Whitings
Family Name:
Sillaginidae
Genus Name:
Sillago
Species Name:
Sillago maculata
Dispatch Method:
The various species of whiting found in estuaries and inshore waters have similar brain locations. To maximise their eating qualities, they should be killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head, or by cervical dislocation (breaking the neck). Smaller specimens (less than 20-25 cm) taken from warm water can also be killed quickly and humanely in an ice slurry.
Fish Description:
- This species has a silvery brown back and a pale belly. The back and sides have numerous dark blotches and the pectoral fin has a black spot at its base.
- This species matures at around 15-18 cm long (1-3 years old). Growth virtually ceases after the 4th year, and maximum age is around 12 years.
Fish Distribution:
- This species occurs in inshore areas along the entire east coast of Australia from far north QLD to eastern Victoria.
- These fish forage on silty and muddy substrates in the deeper water of bays, but also frequent the mouths of rivers, estuaries, and mangrove creeks.
- Juveniles recruit to estuaries and shallow water during summer, moving deeper as they mature.
Fish Size Common Length:
20-25 cm, maximum size around 32 cm.