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Dwarf hake (Merluccius angustimanus) — Merlucciidae

Dwarf hake

Merluccius angustimanus
Family: Merlucciidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dwarf hake (Merluccius angustimanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Merlucciidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
80.0–523.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Panama hake is a hake of the family Merlucciidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery-grey body with a large head, large eyes and a large mouth with sharp teeth. It occurs from the shallow continental shelf to the upper continental slope. As a fast bottom and midwater predator it hunts small fishes, crustaceans and squid. The Panama hake is an important commercial food fish. With its sharp teeth it should be handled with care, but otherwise it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf hake?

The Dwarf hake has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dwarf hake live?

The Dwarf hake lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dwarf hake get?

The Dwarf hake grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 32 cm.

Is the Dwarf hake dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf hake is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf hake edible?

Yes, the Dwarf hake is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Panama-heek sourced
English name
Dwarf hake verified
Scientific name
Merluccius angustimanus
Family
Merlucciidae
Other names
Hake; Panama hake verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
32.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
80.0 verified
Max depth (m)
523.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Merluccius

More from the family Merlucciidae

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