Common name: Merluccid hakes, Cape-hake, African hake, Argentine straptail, Southern hake, New Zealand hake, Patagonian hake, Blue haki, Blue grenadier, Whiptail

Japanese name: Merluccid hakes (メルルーサ)

Scientific name:

Merluccius australis (Hutton, 1872)

Macruronus magellanicus Lönnberg, 1907

Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector, 1871)

Merluccius capensis Castelnau, 1861

Nigiri sushi detail: Merluccid hakes Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Merluccid hakes is the generic name for fish belonging to the family Merluccidae of the order Cod. There are about 12 species of merluccid hake in the world, including deep-sea fish such as Southern hake, Cape hake, and Argentine straptail.

Most merluccid hakes are elongated deep-sea fish, with some of the largest reaching up to one meter in length. They have a silvery body similar to the Japanese sea bass (Suzuki) but with a sharp mouth and sharp teeth characteristic of deep-sea fish.

It is caught in large quantities at one time by bottom trawling, making it more reasonably priced than other white fish. Its flesh is light and white, with few peculiarities, and its flavor is similar to that of cod. It does not harden easily when cooked, and its soft and tender texture, as well as the lack of bones and fat, makes it easy for even children to eat. It is therefore said to be a fish suitable for deep frying, and in the United Kingdom, it is also used as an ingredient in fish and chips. In Japan, it was a substitute for Alaska pollock.

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