Western School Whiting

Interesting Info

• The Western School Whiting is a coastal marine fish species primarily found along the western coast of Australia. They are commonly distributed from Shark Bay down to southern parts of Western Australia.
• They have a slender body shape, with a coloration that varies from light silver to pale golden on the upper body, gradually fading to a silvery-white underside. They have a series of dark vertical bars along their sides and a distinct black spot at the base of the pectoral fin.
• They are a carnivorous species that primarily feeds on small crustaceans, fish, and fish larvae.
• As their name suggests, Western School Whiting have a strong tendency to form large schools, particularly during the breeding season. These schools can consist of hundreds to thousands of individuals.
• Western School Whiting are well-adapted to estuarine environments, as they can tolerate a wide range of salinities. They often migrate into estuaries to feed and find shelter.
• They have the ability to change their body coloration to match their surroundings, which helps them blend into their sandy or muddy habitat and provides them with a certain level of camouflage.
• During the breeding season, male Western School Whiting produce a distinctive “drumming” sound by rapidly vibrating their swim bladder. This sound is believed to play a role in courtship and attracting females. They also develop prominent tubercles or small bumps on their heads and dorsal fins to aid in the courting of a mate.
• Breeding for the Western School Whiting typically occurs during the warmer months, from late spring to early summer. They prefer to spawn in shallow coastal waters with sandy or muddy bottoms.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 6 – 8 years.