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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Temperate

Red hake

Urophycis chuss Walbaum, 1792
Max Length
66 cm
Max Weight
3.6 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
35–1152 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found on soft muddy and sandy bottoms, but never on rocks, gravel or shells. Juveniles live along the coasts at shallow depths (4-6 m); adults migrate to deeper waters, generally to between 110 and 130 m, and in some instances, to over 550 m. Juveniles live in scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) and remain close to scallop beds until they mature . They prefer temperatures of 8-10°C . Feed on shrimps, amphipods and other crustaceans, also on squid and herring, flatfish, mackerel and others. Utilized fresh, dried or salted and frozen; also small fish are used for fishmeal ; eaten steamed, microwaved and baked . Maximum depth reported from Ref. 57178.

Scientific Name
Urophycis chuss
Authority
Walbaum, 1792
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
66 cm
Max Weight
3.6 kg
Depth Range
35–1152 m
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. First dorsal fin ray elongated. Pelvic fins also reaching about the anal fin origin. Body color variable, reddish to olive brown dorsally, sometimes very dark or mottled; lower sides paler, sometimes with dusky dots; belly and underside of the head pale. A dusky blotch present on the opercle. The fins are generally dark, except for the pelvic fins, which are pale.: elongated; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Red hake is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Red hake is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
26cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 35 - 1152 m , usually 110 - 130 m. Temperate; 51°N - 33°N, 79°W - 58°W Northwest Atlantic: North Carolina to southern Nova Scotia, straying to the Gulf of St.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.7±0.3
Food Items

shrimps, amphipods and other crustaceans, also on squid and herring, flatfish, mackerel and others

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00417 × L3.11 (TL)
Max TL
66cm
Max Weight
3,600g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
51.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Walbaum, 1792

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Red hake is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 17.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 412 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Red hake has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Blennius chuss Walbaum 1792 Synonym
Enchelyopus americanus Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Gadus longipes Mitchill 1814 Synonym
Phycis americanus Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Phycis chuss Walbaum 1792 Synonym
Phycis filamentosus Storer 1858 Synonym
Phycis marginatus Rafinesque 1818 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1,225 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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