Many people wonder if whiting are bottom feeders, a common question stemming from their observed behavior and typical catch locations. Understanding the precise definition of a bottom feeder and whiting’s natural tendencies can clarify this.
Understanding Bottom Feeders
A bottom feeder is an aquatic animal that primarily feeds on or near the bottom of a body of water. Biologists use terms like benthivore or demersal fish to describe these organisms. Such fish often possess physical adaptations, including a flattened ventral region for resting on the substrate. Many true bottom feeders also feature an “inferior” mouth, pointing downwards, well-suited for sifting through sediment or grazing.
These fish exhibit diverse feeding strategies, including scavenging on detritus, grazing on aquatic plants, or hunting other benthic animals. Common examples include flatfish like halibut, flounder, and sole, as well as eels, catfish, and sturgeons. In aquariums, species such as Cory catfish and Plecos are popular bottom dwellers.
Whiting’s Habitat and Diet
Whiting species, such as Merlangius merlangus, are found across a wide range, particularly in the coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. They typically inhabit shallow sandy or muddy seabeds, generally at depths between 10 and 150 meters, though they can be found as shallow as 30 feet and as deep as 700 feet. While often associated with the bottom, whiting are also described as “mid to bottom feeders” and can form large schools in midwater.
Their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates and fish that live near the seafloor. Whiting forage by digging and sifting through sand and mud, utilizing a mouth structure where the lower jaw does not project as far forward as the upper jaw, which aids this sifting behavior. Specific prey items include polychaete worms, small crustaceans like shrimps, amphipods, yabbies, and pipis, as well as small mollusks and benthic fish fry. Younger whiting may also consume fish eggs, plankton, and krill, while larger adults expand their diet to include crabs, larger shrimp, small fish, and squid or octopus.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Whiting
The perception of whiting as solely a bottom feeder often arises from their feeding behavior and habitat preferences. Their occasional presence near the seabed, adapted mouth structure for sifting through sediment, and anglers catching them on bottom baits reinforce this idea.
However, whiting are also known to swim in midwater and are considered a semi-pelagic species, challenging the strict bottom-feeder label. Despite this misconception, whiting is a popular and healthy food fish. It provides a good source of protein, is low in fat, and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, selenium, and iodine. The notion that fish feeding near the bottom are “dirty” or unsafe to eat is a misconception, as many prized seafood like shellfish and certain flatfish also inhabit and feed from the seabed.