Sand Whiting
Sillago ciliata
Sand whiting is an inshore sillaginid prized by light-tackle anglers in eastern Australia. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates over sand and surf beaches, estuaries, and tidal flats, often schooling in clear shallow water.
Identification points
- Slender silver body with a pale sandy back and white belly
- Two separated dorsal fins, with a small spiny first dorsal and longer second dorsal
- Small downward mouth with short chin barbels used for rooting in sand
Habitat
Shallow surf beaches, sand flats, estuary mouths, tidal channels, and seagrass edges over clean sand; commonly in less than a few meters of water.
Bait notes
Best on beach worms, yabbies (ghost shrimp), shrimp/prawns, squirt worms, and bloodworms; small soft plastics and tiny metal slices can work when fish are schooling.
Behavior
A day-feeding bottom forager that probes sand for worms, crustaceans, and mollusks using sensitive barbels. Often schools and moves with tides, especially over drop-offs and gutters.
Caution
Has a fine but sharp first dorsal fin spine and can be finicky to handle. Check local size and bag limits, especially in Australian fisheries where sand whiting are regulated.
Fishing notes
Use very light line, long casts, and small hooks on a running sinker or paternoster rig. Work gutters, current seams, and the first drop-off on an incoming or outgoing tide.