Trumpeter Whiting

Interesting Info

• Trumpeter Whiting have a distribution which spans across many Australian states, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. They are commonly encountered in estuarine systems and coastal areas within these regions.
• They are characterised by their slender and elongated body shape, with a slightly compressed profile. They have a silvery coloration with a series of small black spots along their sides, which become more pronounced towards the tail.
• Trumpeter Whiting are primarily found in shallow coastal waters, usually inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates near estuaries, bays, and surf beaches. They can also be found in brackish waters and sometimes venture into freshwater areas.
• They are known to form schools, especially during the breeding season. These schools can consist of both males and females, and they often congregate in shallow areas near the shore.
• The diet of Trumpeter Whiting consists mainly of small crustaceans, such as amphipods, small crabs, and shrimp, as well as polychaete worms and other benthic invertebrates. They use their protractile mouths to feed by sucking up prey items from the substrate.
• Trumpeter Whiting have a unique way of avoiding predation. When threatened or pursued by predators, they can rapidly bury themselves in the sand or mud, using their strong tails to create a quick and efficient escape.
• Breeding season for Trumpeter Whiting typically occurs during the warmer months, from spring to early summer (September to December), when water temperatures are more favourable for spawning.
• The reproductive strategy of Trumpeter Whiting involves external fertilisation, where females release their eggs into the water and males simultaneously release sperm to fertilise them. The fertilised eggs then develop into larvae that drift in the water column before eventually settling to the seabed.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 5 – 7 years.