Max length : 120 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 1371); 130 cm TL (female); common length : 80.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 1371); max. published weight: 1,500 g (Ref. 1371); max. published weight: 7,000.0 g; max. reported age: 25 years (Ref. 6390)
Length at first maturity
, range 60 - 70 cm
Environment
Benthopelagic; oceanodromous; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m (Ref. 26566), usually 200 - 700 m (Ref. 9563)
Dorsalspines
(total): 12 - 13;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 96 - 106;
Analspines: 0;
Analsoft rays: 89 - 93;
Vertebrae: 78 - 81. Dorsal surface silvery, with a purple or blue-green tinge; plank and belly silvery; fins darker. Body very elongate and compressed with a tapering tail, dorsal and anal fins confluent with the caudal fin (Ref. 33856).
Appear to live usually on or near the bottom, but may occasionally move up into mid-waters. Large adult fish generally occur deeper than 400 m, while juveniles may be found in shallower water (Ref. 9072), more commonly found in large estuaries and bays, and may even enter freshwaters (Ref. 1371). Juvenile specimens and especially adults belonging to the American subspecies, have been caught from the coastal zone to 110 m (Ref. 58452). Form schools. Feed primarily on lantern fishes. In New Zealand, it feeds in midwater on small fish, crustaceans and squid. Oviparous, spawn 1 million eggs on the average which are released all at one time (Ref. 6390). Utilized fresh and frozen; can be steamed, fried, cooked in microwave and baked (Ref. 9988). The New Zealand Commercial Hoki fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_487.htm).
