There are thirteen different types (species) of whiting in Australian waters. To identify them you will need expert knowledge on whiting and know how to dissect fish.

Some species of whiting are found in waters around other countries. School whiting, trumpeter whiting and yellowfin whiting are all found in Australian waters only. They all have elongated bodies with a pointed snout, that helps them move through the water quickly. Whiting swim together in schools over sandy bottomed estuaries and in the ocean along the shore.

One of the most common whiting is the King George whiting. They start life when adults spawn in offshore waters. The eggs float on the water and are moved towards the shore by the wind. It takes three to four years before these whiting are able to breed.

Scientific and other names
King george whiting ( Sillaginodes punctata) are also known as black whiting, South Australian whiting and spotted whiting.
Sand whiting (Sillago ciliata) are also known as silver whiting, summer whiting and whiting.
School whiting (Sillago bassensis) are also known as redspot whiting, silver whiting, trawl whiting and whiting.
Trumpeter whiting (Sillago maculata) are also known as diver whiting, spotted whiting and winter whiting.
Whiting (Sillago sihama).

What they look like
Whiting are long bodied fish with a pointed nose. They have two slightly separated dorsal fins. Most whiting are dark on their upper body with lighter colouring on the lower body.

Where they live
Juvenile fish like to live in estuaries where there are seagrass beds to provide shelter. Adults live in estuaries and in deep reef areas along the coast. Different types (species) of whiting live along the WA coast. Whiting live close to reef areas and seagrass beds to be protected from their predators.