Oilfish
📖 Overview
Usually over the continental shelf, sometimes in oceanic waters down to 800 m . Usually solitary or in pairs near the bottom . Migrates far offshore . Pelagic . 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 . Maximum length reported to reach up to 2 m only (Heemstra, pers. comm. 03/03).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 18; Vertebrae: 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.: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Oilfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Oilfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Oilfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 100 - 975 m , usually 200 - 400 m . Subtropical; 55°N - 43°S, 180°W - 180°E
🌿 Ecology
fish, crustaceans and squid (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rovetus temminckii | Cantraine | 1833 | Synonym |
| Ruvettus delagoensis | Gilchrist & von Bonde | 1924 | Synonym |
| Ruvettus pacificus | Jordan & Jordan | 1922 | Synonym |
| Ruvettus preciosus | Cocco | 1833 | Synonym |
| Ruvettus tydemani | Weber | 1913 | Synonym |
| Ruvettus whakari | Griffin | 1927 | Synonym |
| Tetragonurus simplex | Lowe | 1834 | Synonym |
| Thyrsites acanthoderma | Lowe | 1839 | Synonym |
| Thyrsites scholaris | Poey | 1854 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 705 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Oilfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.