Hake

Scientific Name: Merluccius Gayi

Vernacular Names:
Es/Sp: Merluza maltona
Fr/Fr: Merlu du Chili
In/En: South Pacific Hake

Local Names:
Ecuador: Merluza, Tuza
Perú: Huaycuya, Merlango, Merluza, Peje palo, Pescada, Pescadilla.

Commercial names: Hake, Merluza, Chilean hake.

Simile of international trade: Merluccius hubbsi, M. Productus, M. Merluccius

Fishing Season: All year round.

Geographical distribution: Its distribution goes from 00 01'S to 18 20' S in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Habitat and biology: Demersal species, that lives in shallow waters of the continental plataform and also on the banks up to 500 m of depth. In the Gulf of Guayaquil (Ecuador) when there is influence of the cold current Humboldt or "La Niña" event, it can be found in less than 50 m of depth, being captured by the nest of the shrimp trawlers (it is discarded). Not included in the IUCN Red List.

Length: Its mean average length is 42 cm (TL), although there they can be specimens of 79 cm (TL). According to fishbase: The maximun total length es 68 cm (TL) for male and 115 cm (TL) for female and maximun reported age 13 years.