Yellowfin Whiting

Interesting Info

• Yellowfin Whiting are primarily found along the southern coasts of Western Australia and South Australia, with some populations extending into neighbouring regions.
• The Yellowfin Whiting has a slender, elongated body with a slightly arched back. It is generally silver in color with a yellowish hue on its fins and distinctive yellow to golden coloration on its pectoral and caudal fins.
• The diet of Yellowfin Whiting primarily consists of small benthic organisms such as crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and small fish. They use their protrusible mouth to feed on prey items in the sandy or muddy substrate.
• These whiting have adapted to tolerate a range of salinity levels, allowing them to inhabit estuarine, brackish, and nearshore marine environments.
• Yellowfin Whiting are known for their impressive swimming speed and agility. They can swiftly change direction and make sudden bursts of speed to escape predators or catch prey.
• he species name, schomburgkii, is in honour of the German botanist and explorer Moritz Richard Schomburgk, who extensively explored and documented the natural history of Australia in the mid-19th century.
• Their breeding season occurs during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn. During this time, female fish release their eggs into the water, which are then fertilised externally by the males.
• The reproductive success of this species can be influenced by environmental factors, such as water temperature and salinity. Their eggs and larvae are sensitive to changes in these conditions, making their breeding success vulnerable to habitat alterations.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 6 – 8 years.