Pencil Weed Whiting

Interesting Info

• Pencil Weed Whiting are typically found along the shallow coastal waters of southern Australian states. Including Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and parts of southern Western Australia.
• They are a small, slender fish with an elongated body that tapers towards the tail. They have a distinct dark vertical band running along their body, which is more pronounced in males during the breeding season. Their coloration blends well with their seagrass habitat, aiding in camouflage.
• Their name is influenced by their distinctive elongated snout.
• Pencil Weed Whiting primarily feeds on small crustaceans, such as amphipods, copepods, and small shrimp, which they find among the seagrass beds.
• They are a schooling species, often seen in small groups, which provides them with safety in numbers against predators.
• They usually spawn during the warmer months, typically in late spring and early summer, when water temperatures are favourable for egg development.
• During the breeding season, male Pencil Weed Whiting may display courtship behaviours, such as changing colour patterns and fin movements, to attract females.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 3 – 5 years.