Merlucciid Hakes

Distribution: Atlantic, eastern Pacific, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Dorsal fins 2, except Lyconodes with one. Second dorsal fin and anal fin with a posterior notch. Chin barbel lacking. Small cycloid scales. Teeth present on head of vomer. Spinous first principal dorsal ray. Mouth large and terminal; long, pointed teeth in most species. A large V-shaped ridge appears on the upper side of the head. Pelvic fin rays 7-10. Branchiostegal rays 7. Pyloric caeca absent. Species of Merluccius are voracious predators inhabiting the continental shelf and upper slope. The three species of Macruronus live in large schools on the continental shelf in Subantarctic waters.