Hoki

hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae, a fish which belongs to the family Macrouridae, close to the hake family, but has a much more tapering body than do regular hake of either the northern or southern hemispheres. Ayling and Cox (1982) make the interesting observation that, since the hoki is a fish of deep waters, where darkness prevails, the tapering body may serve to provide it with a longer lateral line, the instrument by which it and other fish detect the low frequency sounds produced by other fish (whether prey or predators). The maximum length of the hoki is indeed considerable: 1 m (40"). Its flesh is palatable, and distinguished by having large flakes.