European hake
A predatory demersal fish of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.
The European hake is a slender, toothy predator found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. It supports major fisheries but faces pressure from overfishing in southern regions.
- Grows up to 180 cm but rarely exceeds this size.
- Feeds heavily on herrings and pilchards.
- Lives up to 20 years in the wild.
- Spawns multiple times each season.
- Major food fish in Spain and France.
What it is
This species is a slender fish with a large head and powerful jaws lined with curved teeth. Its mouth interior is black. The body is widest behind the head, featuring two dorsal fins and a straight lateral line. Colouration ranges from blue-grey on the back to silvery sides and a white belly. Adults typically reach one metre, though rare specimens exceed 1.8 metres.
Where it lives
It inhabits the eastern Atlantic from Iceland and Norway south to Mauritania, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In the Baltic, it stays near the Kattegat. Depth preference varies, usually sitting between 70 and 370 metres, but it can dive to 1,000 metres or stay near shore at 30 metres.
How it lives
Juveniles eat crustaceans like krill in deeper water. As they grow, they move shallower and switch to fish, becoming apex predators. They feed on herrings, anchovies, and mackerel. Larger individuals often eat smaller hakes. They rest near the seabed by day and become more active at night, sometimes forming shoals higher in the water column.
Breeding and life cycle
Females spawn multiple times during the season, releasing millions of eggs. Spawning timing varies by region, peaking in summer in the Adriatic and winter-spring in the Bay of Biscay. Larvae hatch after two months and migrate vertically. Males mature around five years old, while females take seven years.
Fish and people
It is a key commercial catch sold fresh, frozen, or salted. The flesh is white, mild, and firm when cooked. Popular in Iberia and France, where it is called colin. A Spanish proverb features a hake biting its tail, symbolizing circular reasoning. Most UK catches are exported rather than consumed locally.
Status and threats
Northern stocks have recovered due to management measures, showing increased biomass. Southern Mediterranean populations remain overexploited due to historical trawling. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern overall, though regional assessments vary from Vulnerable to Near Threatened based on local fishing pressure.
Questions people ask about European hake
What does European hake taste like?
The flesh is white, flaky, and has a mild flavour that is subtler than cod. When cooked, the soft raw texture becomes firm and meaty, making it suitable for grilling or baking with strong spices.
Why is it called herring hake?
The name comes from its diet. It devours large numbers of herrings and pilchards. This habit often leads to it being caught in nets designed for herring, reinforcing the vernacular name.
Is the European hake endangered?
Overall, the IUCN classifies it as Least Concern. However, southern Mediterranean stocks are overexploited, while northern Atlantic stocks have recovered and are increasing in number due to conservation measures.
How deep does this fish live?
It typically resides between 70 and 370 metres. It can be found as shallow as 30 metres near the coast or as deep as 1,000 metres, adjusting its depth based on the time of day.
Good reading and sources
- Merluccius merluccius on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Merluccius merluccius", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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