European Hake and Similar Species
Merluccius merluccius
Got a photo? Identify fish instantly with the Fishby app.
Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with European Hake. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
Silver Hake
Merluccius bilinearis
Key differences: Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) is found in the Northwest Atlantic. It generally has a more slender body and a slightly different fin ray count. The second dorsal and anal fins are less deeply notched in M. bilinearis compared to M. merluccius.
Cape Hake
Merluccius capensis
Key differences: Cape Hake (Merluccius capensis) is found off the coast of Southern Africa. While morphologically similar, M. capensis typically has a more pointed snout and a slightly different head profile. Genetic analysis is often required for definitive differentiation in overlapping regions.
Argentine Hake
Merluccius hubbsi
Key differences: Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi) inhabits the Southwest Atlantic. It can be distinguished by subtle differences in fin morphology and vertebral counts, and its geographic distribution is distinct.
Explore European Hake
Identify fish anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full species details, and more.