Max size: 40 cm (16 in)
Diet: Small crustaceans, worms, small mollusks, squids and fish
Habitat: Shallows to open ocean depths, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Fun Facts:
- Hakes are part of the cod family (Gadidae)
- Their filamentous (long and thin) pelvic fins are semi-prehensile (able to be moved independently), allowing them to feel the substrate underneath for prey
- They are incredibly slippery thanks to relatively small scale size and a thick mucus coat
- Light-colored spots run along the length of its body, indicating the position of the hake’s lateral line, a dense collection of nerve cells that help fish to sense movement