WHITING (Gadus merlangus)  , a fish of the family Gadidae, which is abundant on the shores of the German Ocean and all round the coasts of the British Islands; it is distinguished from the other species of the genus by having from 33 to 35 rays in the first anal fin, and by lacking the barbel on the chin . The snout is long, and the upper jaw longer than the lower . A black spot at the root of the pectoral fin is also very characteristic of this species, and but rarely absent . The whiting is one of the most valuable food fishes of northern Europe, and is caught throughout the year by hook and line and by the trawl . It is in better condition at the beginning of winter than after the spawning season, which falls in the months of February and March . Its usual size is from 1 to 12 lb, but it may attain to twice that weight .