Fin's Fish Guide
The Banded whiting (Sillago maculata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sillaginidae that grows up to 30 cm.
Western Pacific, on silty and muddy bottoms of deeper parts of bays, river mouths, estuaries and mangrove creeks.
Description
The trumpeter whiting is a smelt-whiting (family Sillaginidae) of the western Pacific. The species reaches about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with rows of dark spots and a small, downward-directed mouth. It lives on silty and muddy bottoms in the deeper parts of bays, but also visits river mouths, estuaries and mangrove creeks; juveniles are abundant in estuaries. Its diet consists of polychaete worms, small crustaceans and molluscs, which it searches for in the soft sediment. The species is a popular small sport and food fish and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Banded whiting?
The Banded whiting has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Burrowing sand lance that searches soft bottoms for benthic invertebrates; juveniles in estuaries.
Where does the Banded whiting live?
The Banded whiting lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Pacific, on silty and muddy bottoms of deeper parts of bays, river mouths, estuaries and mangrove creeks.
How big does the Banded whiting get?
The Banded whiting grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.
Is the Banded whiting dangerous to humans?
No, the Banded whiting is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Banded whiting edible?
Yes, the Banded whiting is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sillago
More from the family Sillaginidae
Want the complete picture on the Banded whiting?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Banded whiting is one of 12,519 species in the app.