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Hake (Urophycis floridana) — Phycidae

Hake

Urophycis floridana
Family: Phycidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hake (Urophycis floridana) is a saltwater fish of the family Phycidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coastal waters of the western Atlantic.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The southern codling (Urophycis floridana) is a cod-like fish of the family Phycidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, brownish body with long dorsal and anal fins, thread-like first pelvic-fin rays that serve as feelers, and a chin barbel. It reaches about 35 cm and occurs close inshore, but is most common at less than 300 metres deep. Shallow-water individuals feed on crustaceans, worms and fishes. In winter it moves into bays and coastal waters. The species is a reasonable food fish that is fished locally and landed as bycatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hake?

The Hake has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Chin barbel and thread-like pelvic fin rays as feelers; cod-like fish of soft water.

Where does the Hake live?

The Hake lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Coastal waters of the western Atlantic.

How big does the Hake get?

The Hake grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Hake dangerous to humans?

No, the Hake is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Hake edible?

The Hake is rarely eaten.

More photos

Hake (Urophycis floridana) — Phycidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. (Public domain)
Hake (Urophycis floridana) — Phycidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) shbayley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hake (Urophycis floridana) — Phycidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Squidpastry, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hake (Urophycis floridana) — Phycidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) hbryan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Hake verified
Scientific name
Urophycis floridana
Family
Phycidae
Other names
Southern codling; Southern hake verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Coastal waters of the western Atlantic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, worms and fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Chin barbel and thread-like pelvic fin rays as feelers; cod-like fish of soft water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Urophycis

More from the family Phycidae

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