Shallow-water Cape hake (Merluccius capensis)

Scientific name: Merluccius capensis Castelnau, 1861

Shallow-water Cape hake (Merluccius capensis)

The Shallow-water Cape hake (Merluccius capensis) is a marine fish of the family Merlucciidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, Baie Farte, Angola around Cape to Natal, South Africa. Also found on Valdivia Bank (26?18'S, 6?20'E).

Biology

Found on the continental shelf and slope to depths over 1,000 m. Juveniles (to about 64 cm) feed on small crustaceans and small deep-sea fishes such as lanternfishes, whereas larger individuals feed chiefly on small hakes and jack mackerel; cannibalism is common. Migrates southward in the spring and northward in autumn. Breeds throughout the year, peaks of reproductive activity in August and September. Marketed smoked, frozen, and fresh on ice; eaten steamed, fried and baked. 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 capensis
Family
Merlucciidae (Merluccid hakes)
Order
Gadiformes (Cods)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
140
Common length
50.0
Depth range
50–1000 m (164–3281 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathydemersal; oceanodromous; depth range 50 - 1000 m, usually 150 - 450 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: Baie Farte, Angola around Cape to Natal, South Africa. Also found on Valdivia Bank (26?18'S, 6?20'E).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.07-0.13)

Sources

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

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