- King George whiting
Taxobox
name = King George whiting
image_width = 210 px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Perciformes
subordo =Percoidei
superfamilia =Percoidea
familia =Sillaginidae
genus = "Sillaginodes"
genus_authority = Gill, 1861
species = "S. punctatus"
binomial = "Sillaginodes punctatus"
binomial_authority = (Cuvier , 1829)
synonyms =
*"Sillaginodes punctata"Cuvier , 1829
*"Sillago punctata"Cuvier , 1829
*"Isosillago punctata"Cuvier , 1829
*"Isosillago maculata" Macleay, 1878
range_
range_map_width = 240px
range_map_caption = Range of the King George whitingThe King George whiting, "Sillaginodes punctatus" (also known as the spotted whiting or spotted sillago), is a
coastal marinefish of the smelt-whitings familySillaginidae . The King George whiting is endemic toAustralia , inhabiting the south coast of the country fromJurien Bay, Western Australia toBotany Bay ,New South Wales in the east. The King George whiting is the only member of thegenus "Sillaginodes" and the largest member of the smelt-whiting family Sillaginidae, growing to a length of 72 cm and 4.8 kg in weight. The species is readily distinguishable from other Australian whitings by its unique pattern of spots, as well as its highly elongate shape. King George whiting are often found inbay s and protected waterways oversand andseagrass beds, also venturing out onto deepcontinental shelf reef s during adulthood. The species is abenthic carnivore , consuming a variety ofcrustacean s,polychaete worms,mollusc s andfish . The King George whiting forms the basis of one of southern Australia's most important commercialfisheries , reportedly worth over five millionAustralian dollar s per year. The species is also heavily targeted by recreationalangler s, who value the whiting for its sporting and eating qualities.Taxonomy and naming
The King George whiting is the only species nested in the genus "Sillaginodes", which itself is in the family Sillaginidae, containing all the smelt whitings. [ITIS | ID = 551124 | taxon = "Sillaginodes punctatus" | year = 2008 | date = 05 May] The Sillaginidae are part of the
Percoidei , a suborder of the orderPerciformes . Citation | last = Pascualita | first = S. | title = Sillaginodes punctatus | url = http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=8489 | accessdate = 2007-07-21 ] The King George whiting was first officially named byCuvier in 1829 as "Sillago punctata", based on an individual taken fromKing George Sound inWestern Australia . cite book | last = McKay | first = R.J. | coauthors = | title = FAO Species Catalogue: Vol. 14. Sillaginid Fishes Of The World | publisher = Food and Agricultural Organisation | date = 1992 | url = ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/t0538e/t0538e06.pdf | location = Rome | pages = 19-20 | isbn = 92-5-103123-1] In 1861,Theodore Gill created the monotypic genus "Sillaginodes" based on a number or morphological characteristics and assigned "S. punctatus" to it. A number ofsynonyms have been applied after the initial correct naming, apparently due to Cuvier not designating aholotype , or it being lost. Alectotype was finally designated by McKay in 1985.cite journal |last=McKay |first=R.J. |year=1985 |title=A Revision of the Fishes of the Family Sillaginidae |journal=Memoirs of the Queensland Museum |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=1-73 |doi=] The species has a variety of common names (many now obsolete), with the most common, “King George whiting”, taken from the name of the body of water where the initial description was made. It is also often called the spotted whiting in reference to its obliquely positioned bars of brown spots, with other names used inmarkets , especially outside of Australia.Description
The King George whiting has the same overall profile as the rest of the sillaginid fishes, an elongate, slightly compressed body with a tapering head and terminal mouth. The genus "Sillaginodes" is distinguished by a first
dorsal fin with twelve or thirteen spines and the second dorsal fin with a single spine and 25 to 27 soft rays. Thevertebrae number between 42 and 44 in the genus. ]The King George whiting is the only member of the
genus "Sillaginodes" and is further distinguished from any other possibletaxa assigned to that genus by a number of distinctanatomical features. It is the largest of the Sillaginid fishes with 129 to 147lateral line scales, and like all fishes in the family is best distinguished by the shape of itsswim bladder . In plan view, the swim bladder has a landslug -like appearance, with aposterior ly tapering extension and two anterolateral extensions or ‘horns’. There are noduct -like processes on the ventral surface unlike taxa in the genus "Sillago ". ]In situations where identification is needed quickly, the colour of the King George whiting is also very distinctive, with a pale golden brown to olive brown top colour and white to silver colour on its underside. The species also as distinct
oblique ly positioned rows of brown spots running the length of its body, which are apparent to see even after removal from the water and after death. The caudal, anal andpectoral fin s are usually a light brown, with some having olive green caudal fins. cite book | last = Hutchins | first = B. | coauthors = Swainston, R. | title = Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers | publisher = Swainston Publishing | date = 1986 | location = Melbourne | pages = 187 | isbn = ]It is the largest member of Sillaginidae, growing to a maximum length of 72 cm long and 4.8 kg in weight.
Distribution and habitat
The King George whiting is endemic to Southern
Australia , ranging lowerWestern Australia ,South Australia , Victoria and occasionally even lowerNew South Wales . The westernmost reported capture was in Jurien Bay and the furthest east King George whiting have been reported from isBotany Bay in New South Wales (although this appears to be a rare occurrence). ]King George whiting are most commonly found in
tidal bay s,estuaries andcreek s along the coast of the mainland and numerousislands scattered throughout the species’ range. There is a distinct difference in habitat between theadult and juvenile fish, with the juveniles more inclined to inhabit shallower waters in protectedbay s,creek s and estuaries. cite book | last = Kuiter | first = R.H. | coauthors = | title = Coastal fishes of south-eastern Australia | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | date = 1993 | location = U.S.A | pages = | isbn =1 86333 067 4 ] A favourite habitat of young fish appears to be "Zostera " and "Posidonia "seaweed beds in protected bays, apparently using the seaweed as protection and for foraging purposes.cite journal | last = Robertson | first = A.I | title = Ecologyof Juvenile King George Whiting Sillaginodes punctatus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) (Pisces: Perciformes) in Western Port, Victoria | journal = Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research | volume = 28 | issue = 1 | pages = 35—43 | publisher = CSIRO | date = 1977 | doi = 10.1071/MF9770035 | accessdate = 2008-05-12 ] Juveniles tend to form schools of varying sizes, occasionally schooling with other species, including other members of the Sillaginidae family. ] Adults tend to besolitary and found in deeper water in a range of habitats including bays, offshore surf gutters, broken bottom and deepreef , also venturing into shallower water on occasion.Biology
Diet
The King George whiting’s distinctive body shape and mouth placement is an adaptation to bottom feeding, which is the predominant method of feeding for all whiting species. All larger whiting feed by using their protrusile jaws and tube-like mouths to suck up various types of prey from in, on or above the ocean
substrate .cite journal | last = Hyndes | first = G.A. |coauthors=M. E. Platell, I. C. Potter |year=1997 |month= |title=Relationships between diet and body size, mouth morphology, habitat and movements of six sillaginid species in coastal waters: implications for resource partitioning |journal=Marine Biology |volume=128 |issue=4 |pages=585–598 |doi=10.1007/s002270050125] There is a large body of evidence that shows whiting do not rely onvisual cues when feeding, instead using a system based on the vibrations emitted by their prey. cite journal | last = Gunn | first = John S. | coauthors = Wilward, N.E. | title = The food, feeding habits and feeding structures of the whiting species "Sillago sihama" (Forsskål) and "Sillago analis" Whitley from Townsville, North Queensland, Australia | journal = Journal of Fish Biology | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = 411-427 | publisher = Fisheries Society of the British Isles | date = 1985 | doi = 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1985.tb04281.x | accessdate = 2008-06-12 ]Studies of
gut content have shown that the primary food items of King George whiting areamphipod s,copepod s andpolychaete worm s.cite journal | last = Coleman | first = N. | coauthors = Mobley, M. | title = Diets of Commercially Exploited Fish from Bass Strait and Adjacent Victorian Waters, South-eastern Australia | journal = Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research | volume = 35 | issue = 5 | pages = 549-560 | publisher = CSIRO | date = 1984 | doi = 10.1071/MF9840549 | accessdate =2008-06-11 ] Unlike any of its relatives, the King George whiting does not appear to feed onmollusc s, which is unusual because in many parts of Southern Australia, the main bait used by recreational fishers to catch whiting is thecockle ; a mollusc. Also rare in the diet areechinoderms , which are frequent prey for other species of "Sillago". This may be a function of niche partitioning, as in many areas the King George whiting’s habitat overlaps with other species of the genus "Sillago". ] Other minor components of the diet includecrustaceans such as carids,leptostracan s,stomatopod s,crab s,tanaid s,cumacean s andisopod s as well as other fish andbenthic algae .As previously mentioned, younger fish tend to school when foraging, and have been known to forage in groups with other species such as silver trevally,
tarwhine and other species of whiting.Larger fish tend to occupy areas with larger species such asAustralasian snapper ,blue morwong and larger trevally.Predators
King George whiting, especially juveniles, are known to be common
prey for a number of larger inshore fishes andwading birds . The most prominent inshore predators areAustralian salmon , members of theflathead family, thebarracouta (asnake mackerel ), snook as well as various species ofshark s and rays.Citation
last = Kailola | first = P.J. | last2 = Williams | first2 = M.J. | last 3 = Stewart | first 3 = R.E. | last 4 = et al. | title = Australian fisheries resources | journal = Bureau of Resource Sciences | year = 1993 ] Various species of diving birds, particularly thePied Cormorant are also common predators of the species,cite journal | last = Humphries | first = P. | coauthors = Hyndes, G.A. & Potter, I.C. | title = Comparisons between the diets of distant taxa (Teleost and Cormorant) in an Australian estuary | journal = Estuaries | volume = 15 | issue = 3 | pages = 327-334 | publisher = Springer New York | date = 1992 | doi = 10.2307/1352780 | accessdate = 2008-06-11] as are marine mammals such as Bottlenose andCommon Dolphin s.cite journal | last = Long | first = M. | coauthors = Reid, R.J. & Kemper, C.M. | title = Cadmium accumulation and toxicity in the bottlenose dolphin "Tursiops truncatus", the common dolphin "Delphinus delphis", and some dolphin prey species in South Australia | journal = Australian Mammalogy | volume = 21 | issue = 1 | pages = 25-33 | publisher = Australian Mammal Society | date = 1997 | url = http://www.australianmammals.org.au/publications/pubs_ausMamCat/ausMam_Vol20_1.html | accessdate = 2008-06-11]Reproduction
King George whiting reach
sexual maturity at three to four years of age, withmale s reaching 30 cm in length andfemale s 34 cm. These lengths are used as guides when setting minimum legal lengths for the species, allowing adequate time for an individual to reproduce before being taken.cite journal | last = McGarvey | first = R. | coauthors = Fowler, A.J. | title = Seasonal growth of King George whiting ("Sillaginodes punctata") estimated from length-at-age samples of the legal size harvest | journal = Fishery Bulletin | volume = 100 | issue = 3 | pages = 545-558 | date = 2002 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDG/is_3_100/ai_90925226 | accessdate =2008-06-11 ]
Spawning occurs in a range of areas, depending on thegeographic locality of the individual; some spawning in deeper water up to 9 m deep, others in estuaries.cite journal | last = Lenanton | first = R.C.J. | title = Alternative Non estuarine Nursery Habitats for some Commercially and Recreationally Important Fish Species of South-western Australia | journal = Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research | volume = 33 | issue = 5 | pages = 881-900 | publisher = CSIRO | date = 1982 | doi = 10.1071/MF9820881 | accessdate = 2008-06-11 ] May and June are the most common times for spawning, with some spawning events recorded as early as February and as late as July. Citation | last = Pascualita | first = S. | title = Sillaginodes punctatus Spawning | url = http://www.fishbase.org/Reproduction/SpawningList.cfm?ID=8489&GenusName=Sillaginodes&SpeciesName=punctatus&fc=307&StockCode=8803 | accessdate = 2007-07-21 ] Juvenile fish are recruited to areas byocean currents , with studies showing the species is too weak a swimmer to be able to undertake long distance journeys. [cite journal | last = Jenkins | first = G.P. | authorlink = | coauthors = D.C. Welsford | title = The swimming abilities of recently settled post-larvae of "Sillaginodes punctata" | journal = Journal of Fish Biology | volume = 60 | issue = 4 | pages = 1043–1050 | publisher = Blackwell Synergy | date = 2002 | doi = 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2002.tb02427.x | accessdate = 2007-11-08 ] The location of spawning also has implications for the location of the juveniles, as with some estuary breeding individuals.Relationship to humans
The King George whiting is a highly rated food fish and is common in southern Australia and so has become a major component of the commercial and recreational fisheries in this region, with
aquaculture potential still being explored but apparently of low value.Commercial fishery
The main commercial King George whiting fishery is centred on South Australia from Ceduna in the west to
Gulf St. Vincent in the east. Smaller fisheries are present in Victoria and south west Western Australia. Common catching practices include haulseine net s,gill net s as well aslongline andhandline methods. This fishery is one of the most important in the country, reportedly worth five millionAustralian dollar s a year, ] as King George whiting fetch premium price inmarket s. This single species alone was reported as comprising 60% of the total annual catch inSouth Australia during the late 1980s. cite book | last = Scott | first = T.D. | coauthors = Glover, C.J. and Southcott, R.V. | title = The Marine and Freshwater Fishes of south Australia 2nd Edn. | publisher = State handbook Committee, Government Printer | date = 1990 | location = Adelaide | pages = | isbn = ] The fish are sold either whole or asfillet s, and along with snapper are generally rated as one of the best quality southern Australian fish.Recreational fishery
In Southern Australia, the King George whiting is often the sole target for
fishermen who seek it for its high quality eating. A number ofcoastal towns rely heavily on the species as atourism drawcard for anglers seeking a range of fish and crustacean species, but King George whiting is often the most desired catch. cite book | last = Horrobin | first = P. | title = Guide to Favourite Australian Fish | publisher = Universal Magazines | date = 1997 | location = Singapore | pages = 104-105 | isbn = ] They are a relatively easy species to catch, with no special baits, rigs or techniques required and are often caught fromjetties ,beaches androcks ; meaning aboat is not necessary. Simple rigs such varieties of running ball sinker or paternoster rigs are commonly used, with a fixed sinker employed in area of high tidal movement. cite book | last = Starling | first = S. | title = The Australian Fishing Book | publisher = Bacragas Pty. Ltd. | date = 1988 | location = Hong Kong | pages = 490 | isbn = 073010141x ] As mentioned previously, molluscs, particularly the Goolwa cockle are common bait, with varieties ofworm s, gents,squid ,cuttlefish , fish pieces and other shellfish also commonly successful. The larger fish inhabiting deep reefs are often caught on wholepilchard s while fishing for snapper and morwong. ]The King George whiting has differing size and bag limits for anglers in different states. In Victoria, there is a minimum size limit of 27 cm and a bag limit of 20 per person. Citation | last = FishVictoria | first = | title = Whiting, King George | url = http://www.fishvictoria.com/the-fish/marine-&-estuarine-fin-fish/whiting,-king-george/ | accessdate = 2007-07-21 ] South Australia is divided into two zones concerning the taking of this species, with fish caught east of longitude 136° restricted to a minimum length of 31 cm and fish caught to the west of longitude 136° having a minimum length of 30 cm. In both divisions, the bag limit is 12 fish per person. Citation | last = Primary Industries SA | first = | title = King George whiting | url = http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/target_species/king_george_whiting | accessdate = 2007-07-21 ] Western Australia has set a minimum legal limit of 28 cm and a bag limit of 8 per person. Citation | last = Western angler | first = | title = King George whiting | url = http://www.westernangler.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=154 | accessdate = 2007-07-21 ]
Aquaculture
Due to the King George whitings’ popularity as a food fish, extensive investigations into the viability of the species as an aquaculture species have occurred, with most initial investigations indicating the long larval cycle is a major barrier to the successful farming of the fish. Other problems have arisen in a
parasite previously unknown in the species only affecting the fish in captivity.Thyroid growth hormone s may be used in the future to hasten growth of larvae and make such ventures more feasible. cite book | last = Partridge | first = G. | coauthors = | title = Further development of techniques for the culture of King George whiting for commercial aquaculture or for enhancement of fish stocks in Western Australia - Final Report | publisher = Challenger TAFE | date = 200 | location = Fremantle | pages = | isbn = ]References
External links
* [http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=8489 King George whiting at Fishbase]
* [http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/target_species/king_george_whiting Primary Industries - King George whiting]
* [http://www.fishsa.com/kgwhitng.php Fishing for King George whiting]
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