Benguela hake (Merluccius polli) fish species and information / pictures of Benguela hake - Merluccius polli

Benguela hake (Merluccius polli) fish species information

Scientific Name
Merluccius polli

Common Name
Benguela hake

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 45-52. Head large and little depressed. Pectoral fin tips usually reaching the origin of anal fin in small but not in large individuals. Scales easily shed. Color usually blackish on back, steel gray to blackish on belly; caudal fin white-edged.

Classification

Classified By

Cadenat, 1950

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Merluccid hakes (Merlucciidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: off the coast of tropical West Africa, from Mauritania to Angola. Range reported to extend to off southwest Africa near Cape Frio, Namibia (Ref. 6524).

Range

29°N - 19°S, 19°W - 15°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

910 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 50 - 910 m (Ref. 58452), usually 50 - 550 m (Ref. 58452)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.63 Based on food items.

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

80.0 cm

Common Length

40.0 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: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.39(?); assuming tm>=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated