174 



FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



Figure 84. — Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) . A, adult, 

 Nova Scotia, from Goode, drawing- by H. L. Todd; B, 

 egg; C, larva, 6.5 mm.; D, larva, 11 mm.; E., young fry, 

 23 mm. B-E, after Kuntz and Radcliffe. 



about one-fourth of the total length; large eyes; 

 and wide mouth armed with two or more rows of 

 sharp recurved teeth, and with the lower jaw 

 projecting beyond the upper. 



The first dorsal fin (11 to 14 rays) originates 

 close behind the gill openings, is roughly an equi- 

 lateral triangle in shape, and is separated by a 

 short space from the second dorsal. The second 

 dorsal (38 to 41 rays) is about four times as long 

 as the first dorsal, but hardly more than half as 

 high, and is of distinctive outline, being deeply 

 emarginate two-thirds of the way back, with the 

 rear section the higher of the two. The anal fin 

 (38 to 41 rays) corresponds in height and in shape 

 to the second dorsal, under which it stands. The 

 caudal fin is square tipped when widespread, but 

 its rear margin is weakly concave, otherwise. 

 The pectorals are rather narrow, their tips slightly 

 rounded, and they reach back far enough to over- 

 lap the second dorsal a little. The ventral fins, 



situated slightly in front of the pectorals, are 

 perceptibly shorter than the latter, with about 

 half as many rays (7). 



Color. — The silver hake is dark gray above of 

 brownish cast; but silvery-iridescent, as its name 

 implies, or with golden reflections. The lower 

 part of its sides and its belly are silvery. The 

 inside of its mouth is dusky, the lining of its belly 

 blackish. The fish is brightly iridescent when 

 taken from the water, but fades soon after death. 



Size. — Maximum size about 2^ feet long and 

 about 5 pounds in weight, but adults average only 

 about 14 inches long. 



Habits. — Silver hake are strong swift swimmers, 

 well armed and extremely voracious. They prey 

 on herring and on any other of the smaller school- 

 ing fish, such as young mackerel, menhaden, ale- 

 wives, and silversides. Probably a complete diet 

 list would include the young of practically all the 

 common Gulf of Maine fishes, for Vinal Edwards 



