The Merlucciidae, commonly called merluccid hakes /mərˈluːtʃɪd/, are a family of cod-like fish, containing two genera. They are the only member of the suborder Merlucciodei. They are native to cold water in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and typically are found at depths greater than 50 m (160 ft) in subtropical, temperate, sub-Arctic or sub-Antarctic regions.
These predatory fish are up to 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) in length, though most only reach about half that length, inhabiting the waters of the continental shelf and upper continental slope, where they feed on small fish such as lanternfishes. Several species are important commercial fish, for example the North Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) that is fished off western North America.
