It is found in the Atlantic Ocean at depths between 10 and 500 m. It grows to about 30 in (75 cm) and 7 lb (3.2 kg).

Red hake are edible, and are sought out by recreational fisherman as a gamefish.

Red hake prefer water temperatures between 5 and 12 °C, causing them to migrate seasonally.

During winter, they tend to move to deeper waters offshore in the Gulf of Maine and along southern New England and Georges Bank all the way to wrecks off the coast of New Jersey.

Most tend to be a reddish brown to olive-brown color on their sides with pale tan spots.