Merluccius polli Cadenat, 1950
Benguela hake
Merluccius polli
photo by FAO

 Family:  Merlucciidae (Merluccid hakes), subfamily: Merlucciinae
 Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  bathydemersal; depth range 50 - 1000 m, non-migratory
 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).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; 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.
 Biology:  Feeds mainly on small fishes and partly on squids and shrimps (Ref. 1371). Marketed mostly fresh and frozen, also used for fishmeal and oil (Ref. 1371). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 1371.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Kesner-Reyes, Kathleen - 21.10.16
 Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 07.09.98

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