| Family: |
Merlucciidae (Merluccid hakes) |
| Max. size: |
83 cm TL (male/unsexed); 105 cm TL (female); max.weight: 4,200.0 g; max.weight: 7,500.0 g; max. reported age: 16 years |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: northern Vancouver Island, Canada to northern part of the Gulf of California. A record from the Gulf of Alaska is doubtful. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48-56; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 40-43. Head rather short. Pectoral fin tips usually reaching to or beyond the origin of anal fin. Caudal fin always concave. Color silvery on back grading to whitish ventrally. |
| Biology: |
Inhabit oceanic and coastal areas, but mainly on the continental shelf (Ref. 1371). Although often classified as demersal, the distribution and behavior suggest a largely pelagic existence (Ref. 1371). Adults live in large schools in waters overlying the continental shelf and slope except during the spawning season when they are found several hundred miles seaward (Ref. 1371). A nocturnal feeder (Ref. 6885) that feed on a variety of fishes and invertebrates (Ref. 1371). Important prey for sea lions and small cetaceans (Ref. 2850); also prey of dogfish (Ref. 11384). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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