Oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus) is a saltwater species recorded in Taiwan, United States. It is found at depths of 100–975 m. The main season in Taiwan, United States runs all year.
Scientific name: Ruvettus pretiosus · Water: Saltwater · Season: All year
Size: up to 300 cm
The oilfish is a gempylid usually found over the continental shelf, sometimes in oceanic waters down to 800 m. It is usually solitary or in pairs near the bottom and also migrates far offshore. It feeds on fishes, crustaceans and squid. In the south central Pacific it is caught with a distinctive wooden hook called a palu, or Ruvettus hook, made for this species. It is marketed fresh and used for fish cakes in Japan. Its range is worldwide between roughly 55 degrees north and 43 degrees south, and it is in season all year. It lives from 100 to 975 m, usually between 200 and 400 m, and reaches about 300 cm total length, commonly 150 cm standard length, and up to about 63.5 kg. It is a minor commercial species and a game fish, in the medium price band, with a trophic level of 4.2, very high fishing vulnerability at 85 of 100, moderate climate vulnerability at 38, and low resilience.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
Caution: contains indigestible wax esters. Wax esters are not absorbed by the gut and can cause oily diarrhoea, passing orange or yellow oil, sometimes with abdominal pain, nausea and headache; cooking and freezing do not break them down. Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety advises eating only a small amount the first time.
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