Talk:Sillaginodes
King George Whiting edit
King George Whiting, (Sillaginodes Punctatus) is the largest member of the Sillagindae growing to a maximum of 72 centimetres and 4.8 kilograms in weight. It is also the only member of the Genus Sillaginodes.
Description edit
It has the same profile as all the other sillaginad fishes; elongated, slightly compressed a long snout and a small mouth. The genus sillaginodes is usually distinguished by the dorsal fin with 12-13 spines and the second dorsal fin with only one spine. The colour of the King George Whiting is a pale golden brown to olive brown top colour and white silver on its underside. It also has obliquely positioned rows of brown spots running the length of its body.
Environment edit
Juvenile fish are found mostly in shallower waters in protected bays as well as seagrass beds around sand patches, reportedly using the seagrass as protection and foraging. The younger fish also swim in packs, sometimes with other species. Adults are solitary and are more commonly found in deeper waters. This includes offshore bays, broken bottom and deep reefs. On occasion they will venture into shallower waters.
Distribution edit
King George Whiting have been found throughout the southern coastline of Australia. But they are most abundant in the waters and gulfs of investigator straight and in sheltered bays of the west coast of South Australia. King George Whiting has been captured as far west as Jurien Bay, Western Australia and as far east as Botany Bay, New South Wales.
Diet edit
The King George Whiting has a relatively small mouth so it has adapted to sucking up organisms from the sea floor. Its main food sources are polychaete worms, bivalve, marine worms and small fish. Larger whiting feed by using their jaws and tube-like mouths to suck up various prey. Evidence shows that the whiting does not rely on visual cues when feeding, but vibrations emitted from their prey.
Predators edit
Juvenile whiting have been especially known to be a common prey for a number of larger inshore fish and wading birds. The most prominent inshore predators are the Australian Salmon, members of the flathead family, barracuda, snook and species of shark and rays. Other common predators include diving birds such as the Pied Cormorant and bottlenose and common dolphins.
Human edit
The King George Whiting is a highly rated food fish. It is renowned throughout Australia for its delicate flavour and texture. One of its prime qualities is that it maintains its flavour even after being frozen.
Aquaculture edit
Due to the popularity as a food fish, extensive investigations into the viability of the species as an aquaculture species have occurred. Initial investigations have revealed that the long larval cycle is a major barrier to the successfulness of farming the fish.
Classification Levels edit
- Kingdom - Animalia
- Phylum - Chordata
- Class - Actinopterygii
- Order - Perciformes
- Family - Sliiagindae
- Genus - Sillaginodes
- Species - Sillaginodes Punctatus