Oilfish
Ruvettus pretiosus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Oilfish
- Scientific
- Ruvettus pretiosus
- Dhivehi
- ތެޔޮމަސްTheyo mas
- Maximum size
- Up to about 3 m (total length); commonly 1.5 m; max. published weight 63.5 kg (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 3 m
- Depth and habitat
- Near the bottom and in the water column above it, recorded from 100 to 975 m (usually 200 to 400 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2012
Description
A large, brown to purplish oilfish with very rough skin studded with bony tubercles, reaching about 3 m. It lives near the bottom on deep slopes, mostly at 200 to 400 m, and feeds on fish, squid and crustaceans. Its very oily flesh acts as a strong purgative if much is eaten.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name theyo mas (MRS 1997).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Ruvettus-pretiosus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ތެޔޮމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Oilfish.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Theyo mas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ތެޔޮމަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.