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Blue rock whiting (Haletta semifasciata) — Odacidae

Blue rock whiting

Haletta semifasciata
Family: Odacidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue rock whiting (Haletta semifasciata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Odacidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–7.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blue rock whiting is a fish of the cale family (Odacidae) from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 29 cm and has an elongate body; males are blue-green, females and juveniles greenish with dark spots. It forms large schools in estuaries and other sheltered waters with sand and seagrass bottoms. As a herbivore it grazes seagrass and algae, supplemented with small invertebrates taken incidentally. Cales are closely related to the wrasses. The blue rock whiting is a local angling and food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue rock whiting?

The Blue rock whiting has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue rock whiting live?

The Blue rock whiting lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blue rock whiting get?

The Blue rock whiting grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Blue rock whiting dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue rock whiting is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue rock whiting edible?

Yes, the Blue rock whiting is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe zeegrasvis sourced
English name
Blue rock whiting verified
Scientific name
Haletta semifasciata
Family
Odacidae
Other names
Blue weed whiting; Blue weed-whiting; Blue-arsed whiting; Grass whiting; Rock whiting verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
7.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Odacidae

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