Feeding of small whiting (Merlangius merlangus) in the central and southern North Sea

The stomach contents of 899 whiting, Merlangius merlangus (Pisces: Gadidae), from the central and southern North Sea, were analysed. Crustacea and fish comprised 90% on average by weight of the food observed. Crustacean prey sizes usually ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 g. The mean daily consumption of a common invertebrate prey, Crangon crangon , was estimated to be 0.1 g for a whiting weighing 150 g.