Deep-water Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus) fish species and information / pictures of Deep-water Cape hake - Merluccius paradoxus

Deep-water Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Merluccius paradoxus

Common Name
Deep-water Cape hake

Biology
Found near the bottom. Feeds on fishes, mysids, euphausiids and squids. Young feed mainly on euphausiids, but the diet becomes polyphagous with growth. Cannibalism has been observed in larger individuals (Ref. 9583). The South African Hake Trawl fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_1092.htm).

Classification

Classified By

Franca, 1960

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Merluccid hakes (Merlucciidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Atlantic

Distribution

Southeast Atlantic: Cape Frio, Namibia south to the Agulhas Bank and east to East London in South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar Ridge (33?S,44?E).

Range

18°S - 38°S, 11°E - 46°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

200 m

Depth To - meters

1000 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 200 - 1000 m (Ref. 6605), usually 400 - ? m (Ref. 58452)

Trophic Level

4.66 s.e. 0.61 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

115 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (65 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.09-0.12)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated