Deep-water Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus)

Scientific name: Merluccius paradoxus Franca, 1960

The Deep-water Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus) is a marine fish of the family Merlucciidae. Native range: 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).

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. 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).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Merluccius paradoxus
Family: Merlucciidae (Merluccid hakes)
Order: Gadiformes (Cods)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 115
Common length: 60.0
Depth range: 200–1000 m (656–3281 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 200 - 1000 m, usually 400 - ? m
Climate: Deep-water
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).
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.09-0.12)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026