South Pacific hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) fish species and information / pictures of South Pacific hake - Merluccius gayi gayi

South Pacific hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) fish species information

Scientific Name
Merluccius gayi gayi

Common Name
South Pacific hake

Biology
Occurs from the shallow continental shelf to the upper continental slope (Ref. 1371). Sometimes found off the bottom or in midwater (Ref. 1371). Migrates vertically to midwater at night to feed on fishes, squids and euphausiids (Ref. 27363). Moves to southern coastal areas in summer and migrates to northern deeper waters (200-500 m depth) in winter and spring (Ref. 27363). Spawning occurs at the end of the winter and during the southern spring (Ref. 58452). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 1371) and eaten steamed, fried, boiled and microwaved (Ref. 9988). Also utilized as fishmeal (Ref. 1371).

Classification

Classified By

Guichenot, 1848

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Merluccid hakes (Merlucciidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Pacific

Distribution

Southeast Pacific: off the coast of Chile from Arica to Chilo? Island.

Range

5°S - 46°S, 81°W - 69°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

500 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; oceanodromous; depth range 50 - 500 m (Ref. 1371)

Trophic Level

4.26 s.e. 0.74 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

87.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 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 vulnerability (61 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.1-0.2; tm=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated