Scientific Name
Merluccius gayi peruanus

Common Name
Peruvian 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). Marketed fresh and frozen and also used for fishmeal (Ref. 1371).

Classification

Classified By

Ginsburg, 1954

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Merluccid hakes (Merlucciidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Pacific

Distribution

Southeast Pacific: off the coast of Peru, from Paita southward to Huarmey.

Range

4°S - 14°S

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 (Ref. 51243); depth range 50 - 500 m (Ref. 1371)

Trophic Level

4.3 s.e. 0.75 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

68.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = No PD50 data many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (54 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.19-0.21; tmax=13)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated