Ruvettus Cocco, 1 829
Diagnosis: body oblong, fusiform. Lower jaw slightly projecting before the upper; tips of jaws without cartilaginous processes. Fang-like teeth indistinct; vomer toothed. No free spines before anal fin. 2 detached dorsal and anal finlets. D XIII-XV + 17-19 + 2; A I + 11-17 + 2; P 15; V I + 5. Small cycloid scales interspersed with rows of roughened spiny tubercles. Scaly keel on belly between pelvic fins and anus. Lateral line single, often obscure. Colour: dark purplish-brown. Size: to 200 cm SL, but reported up to 300 cm from Pacific Ocean, usually 100-150 cm.
Habitat: oceanic, benthopelagic on continental slope and underwater rises at about 100 to 700 m. Usually swims solitary or in pairs near bottom (underwater observations); may ascend to midwater. Food: fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean south of Bay of Biscay; common near Madeira and the Canaries, stragglers as far north as western Irish slope. Elsewhere, worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas.
Species 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Ruvettus pretiosus