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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
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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.

Where does the Hake live?

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

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.

Is the Hake edible?

The Hake is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke gaffelkabeljauw sourced
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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Urophycis

More from the family Phycidae

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