They are sometimes classed as a separate family, Merlucciidae, because of skeletal differences in the skull and ribs. Hakes are elongated, largeheaded fishes with large, sharp teeth. They have two dorsal fins, the second long and slightly notched near the middle. The anal fin is also long and notched, and the pelvic fins are placed far forward, ahead of the pectorals.
Hakes are swift, carnivorous fishes and, though rather soft-fleshed, are used as food.
They are found throughout the Atlantic, in the eastern Pacific, and along New Zealand. In eastern North America, the name hake is also applied to several marine food fishes related to Merluccius but placed in the genus Urophycis. These fishes resemble Merluccius but are distinguished by long, slim pelvic fins and by a small barbel at the tip of the chin.