White Hake Identification Guide
Spot a white hake by its larger size, pale grayish-white to brown coloring, chin barbel, and thread-like pelvic fins.
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Key identification features
- Elongated, slightly compressed body, larger and more robust than red hake
- Two dorsal fins: short triangular first dorsal, long low second dorsal
- Long, thread-like pelvic fin rays and a single chin barbel
- Coloration ranges from grayish-white to brownish or purplish-gray on the back with a pale, whitish belly
- Smooth, small scales giving a somewhat slimy appearance
- Adults commonly reach 2-4 feet, much larger than red hake
Common look-alikes
- Red hake: smaller, with a more distinctly reddish-brown to olive coloration and shorter overall length
- Atlantic cod: has a squarer tail and a more mottled, spotted body pattern rather than white hake's plainer, paler tone
- Cusk: single continuous dorsal-caudal-anal fin fringe, unlike white hake's two separate dorsal fins and forked tail
Where you'll see one
White hake inhabit deep, cold waters of the western North Atlantic, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Mid-Atlantic, typically over mud bottoms at depths of 100-500 meters. Larger individuals tend to stay deeper and further offshore than red hake.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to distinguish white hake from red hake?
Size and color: white hake is paler grayish-white to brownish and grows much larger, while red hake stays smaller with a more reddish-olive tone.
Does white hake have the same chin barbel as other hakes?
Yes, it carries a single barbel under the chin like red hake and other members of the hake family, distinguishing it from barbel-less gadoids such as silver hake.