Ruvettus pretiosus
Family
Gempylidae (Snake mackerels)
Order
Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Maximum Size
200 cm TL
max. published weight: 63.5 kg
Environment
Benthopelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 100 - 800 m
Climate
Subtropical; 55°N - 43°S
Importance
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resiliance
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years
Distribution
Mediterranean Sea: Antalya Bay. Widely distributed in tropical and
temperate seas of the world.
Diagnosis
Dorsal spines (total): 13-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-18; Vertebrae: 32-32. Skin very rough, scales interspersed with spinous bony tubercles. Mid-ventral (abdominal) keel on the ventral contour. Body is uniformly brown to dark brown, tips of the pectoral and
pelvic fins black, margins of the second dorsal and anal fins white in
young specimens.
Biology
Usually over the continental shelf, sometimes in oceanic waters down to 800 m. Usually solitary or in pairs near the bottom. Migrates far offshore. Feeds on fish, crustaceans and squid. The peculiar wooden 'palu' or Ruvettus hook is used to catch this species in south central Pacific. The flesh is very oily, with purgative properties, if eaten much. Marketed fresh and as fish cakes in Japan; also processed into fishmeal.
