the sand whiting is a schooling species, whose movements are associated with a variety of factors including prey, lunar patterns and spawning movements; although there appears to be little consistency in its movements in relation to these factors. studies on the species over the period of a year have shown the species does not change its local distribution over the course of a day, generally being of the same abundance during both night and day. seasonal abundance due to spawning is variable, with studies conducted in moreton bay, queensland finding the species recruits heavily to shallow waters and increase numbers during winter months, while studies in the noosa river estuary have shown no difference in numbers recruited over the course of a season. like other sillaginids, they have the ability to 'burrow' into the sand and remained hidden until a predator or seine net has passed by.