General Description

Body very slender, not greatly compressed, with a slightly rounded upper surface, two low dorsal fin separated only at their bases, tiny scales, a long snout long and a small mouth. Colour variable, from greenish-grey to silvery-brown above with distinctly darker spots sometimes forming wavy lines, silvery-white below; juveniles with many bands along the sides. Usually 40 cm long head to tail tip (up to 72 cm).

Biology

This very important and popular commercial and recreational fish is the largest whiting species in Australia, and is an excellent table fish. Juveniles are common in seagrass beds in sheltered bays and estuaries, and moving into deeper water at about 10 cm in length. King George Whiting feed mostly on bivalve molluscs, polychaete worms and crustaceans.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Coastal regions with seagrass, weed or sand, especially within bays.

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