Merluccius Capensis
Colour, Shape and Size
This elongate and fairly robust fish has a somewhat depressed head. It is rather drab in appearance. The overall colouration of living specimens is silvery grey, but this fades rapidly to dull grey after death. The underside is whitish and the fins are grey. Attains 40cm.
External Anatomy
The lateral line is quite distinct and along it are arranged 125-140 series of small scales. The fins are large but primitive as spines are lacking and the rays are unbranched. The membranous tissue between the rays is extremely fragile and invaribly dears during capture.
The double dorsal fin consists of 10-12 rays followed by a second fin of 38-42 rays. The anal fin has 37-41 rays and is at least half the length of the entire body. The caudal fin is truncate. The hake has rather big eyes which are set well forward on the head. Both jaws of the large mouth bear rows of sharply pointed teeth. The first gill arch carried about 19 rakers.
Natural History
The hake is essentially a bottom living species, very common off much of southern Africa’s coast. It inhabits water from 50-400m and it is probable that extensive vertical migrations occur on a daily basis. This is confirmed by fishery statistics which indicate that this species rises closer to the surface at nigh, presumably in synchrony with its food supply. The diet consists primarily of other fish species such as lanternfishes, rattails, maasbankers and also juvenile hake. Other important components of the diet include mysids, krill, megalopa crab larvae and squid. There are certain areas where breeding appears to be most intense and while spawning fish have been caught throughout the year, August and September mark their period of greatest reproductive activity.
Capture
Hake can be caught by line but most are trawled to a depth of 600m. Because of the species nocturnal migrations towards the surface water, trawlers are most successful during daylight. The hake is of reasonable eating quality and is one of southern Africa’s foremost food fishes.
Specific Catch Restrictions
Commercial Capture is by permit and quota.
