Hāpuku

Are primary gonochorists (Ref. 58421).

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9

Occurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf and continental slope (Ref. 75154).

A deepwater species, occurs in seamounts (Ref. 89357). Adults occur generally over rough ground from the central shelf (about 100 m) to the shelf edge and down to the upper slope. Juveniles are found in surface waters, perhaps school in association with drifting weed. Feed on barracouta and pilchards, in addition to various bottom-dwelling fish. Are primary gonochorists (Ref. 58421). Preyed upon by sperm whales (Ref. 9072). It is taken by droplining down to 400 m, and is sometimes seen in the trawled catch. Utilized fresh and frozen; can be steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). Severely overfished (Ref. 89357).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes