Peruvian hake [Merluccius gayi peruanus]
Description
The Peruvian hake is a demersal fish found along the continental shelf of Peru and Chile. It has a slender body, a large head, and sharp teeth. Its color is silver-gray with a white belly. This species is a nocturnal predator, feeding primarily on small fish and crustaceans. It is a commercially important species, though overfishing has led to population decline.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Albatrosses, Petrels, and Shearwaters
Procellariiformes
|
| Family |
Diving Petrels
Pelecanoididae
|
| Genus |
Peruvian
Pelecanoides garnotii
|