Urophycis regia

The spotted hake or spotted codling (Urophycis regia) is a fish species belonging to the genus Urophycis.

Identification

The spotted hake can be distinguished by its tapering body, two dorsal fins, and filamentous pelvic fins similar to the white and red hake. It differs from the two, however, but not having a third ray of the dorsal fin prolonged into a filament, by having larger scales, and a larger mouth with the end of the maxillary behind the level of the back of the eye. Its coloration is distinctive, having a black distal half of the dorsal fin with a narrow white margin. The lateral line is black but interrupted by a series of white spots. Its pelvic fins are white.

References

"The Inland Fishes of New York State." C. Lavett Smith.