Overview
Widespread deep-water predator, important commercial species. Hunts at night rising towards the surface.
Identification
Wide mouthDark lateral lineSmall scalesLong pectoral finsSeparated dorsal finsForked tailPointed teethLarge head
- Body
- Sleek and elongated body, with a large head and wide mouth.
- Colouration
- Silvery gray with a lighter belly and a dark lateral line.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent or not pronounced
- Growth
- Rapid growth in juvenile stages, slows down thereafter.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Merlucciidae
- Order
- Gadiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Merluccius albidusMerluccius bilinearisMerluccius capensisMerluccius productusMerluccius gayi
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- mud, rock, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the northeastern Atlantic, from Morocco to Norway and Iceland, including the Mediterranean Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Seeks shelter near the seabed during the day and moves to shallower waters at night to hunt.
Prefers areas with muddy or rocky substrates that provide shelter and food.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, squid, cuttlefish
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, crustaceans, fish larvae
- Occasional prey
- octopus, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- An active predator, hunts at night by moving up to the surface and using surprise to catch prey.
- Natural predators
- tunas, dogfish, swordfish, humans (fishing)
Its diet varies with the temporary availability of prey species.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident in some areas, migratory in others depending on prey availability.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Changes depth based on season to take advantage of optimal temperatures and prey availability.
- Juveniles
- Lives in shallower waters where there are fewer predators and abundant food.
- Adults
- Inhabits deeper waters and broadens its range of prey.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- Between 100 and 300 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic, transparent, small eggs.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae living near the surface before descending to deeper waters.
- Sexual maturity
- Varies between 3 and 4 years
When to catch European hake
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Day—
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, autumn and winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Rises more towards surface to hunt.
Medium
Regular deep-water activity.
High
Stays on bottom, less active.
Barometric trend
Rising
Stays deep.
Stable
Good nocturnal activity.
Falling
Rises to mid-water, more aggressive.
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: low
Where to catch it
Best spots
muddy bottomssubmarine slopesnear submarine canyonsareas with currents
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longline fishingtrawlingtrollingset nets
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino Medio
Recommended baits
small fishsquidcuttlefishshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitPaddle tail softbaitSabiki fluorescenteKabura / Tai rubberMetal jig medio (40-100g)Slow pitch jig
Medium
Acciuga vivaPesciolino vivoSardina vivaStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaEsca viva (generica)Pezzo di pesce
High
Arenicola
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up a fight with quick, sudden movements when hooked.
- Handling
- Use gloves to avoid injuries from sharp teeth.
- Release
- Ensure the fish is vital before releasing it and use a barbless hook when possible.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- A hake nearly weighing 15 kg was caught in the Adriatic Sea, an exceptional weight for this species. In Italy, specimens over 5 kg in commercial fishing areas are considered very large.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued in cooking, especially in dishes like brodetto and grilled hake.
- Cultural notes
- Often mentioned in fishermen's tales for its cunning and hunting skill.
- Historical notes
- Fishing for this species has been practiced since ancient times, documented as far back as medieval manuscripts.
