Argentine hake


The Argentine hake is a species of merluccid hake found in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, specifically along the coast of Argentina and Uruguay. Like many of its congeners, it is of commercial importance.

Taxonomy

The Argentine hake was described by the Argentine ichthyologist Tomás Marini in 1933, with the specific epithet honoring the American ichthyologist Carl L. Hubbs, who supplied the type material to Marini.
A new species of hake, Merluccius patagonicus, was described in 2003; this was the third hake species found in the southwest Atlantic, in addition to the Argentine hake and the southern hake. Some authorities consider this taxon to be synonymous with M. hubbsi.

Description

The Argentine hake is very similar to the European hake, and it can reach up to 95 cm in length and weigh up to 5 kg.

Biology

The Argentine hake lives at depths of 100-200 m, feeding on crustaceans, squids and smaller fish. It migrates southwards in spring and northwards in autumn. Females grow faster and live longer than males.

Relationship with humans

The Argentine hake is commercially important, and is usually sold fresh; however, it can also be sold frozen. It is one of the main fishing exports of Argentina.