My first impression is an oil fish, Ruvettus pretiosus.  The oils in  
the flesh can produce a runny stool but it is delicious as long as you  
have a bathroom close by - no warning given.  A wax ester in the flesh  
causes this condition.  If the oils are removed during cooking one can  
be OK but the delicious flavour is in the oil.  This fish has also  
been known to cause scombroid poisoning (see Google search below)  
although I have not experienced this personally.

http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=1044

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22ruvettus+pretiosus%22+wax+ester&btnG=Search&meta=

Best wishes,
Yours sincerely,

Richard

Richard Lord

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Tel: +44 (0)1481 700688
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http://www.sealordphotography.net
Guernsey Climate Action Network - http://www.g-can.net

On 23 Dec 2008, at 08:11, Chris Poonian wrote:

> Dear all,
> I am trying to ID a fish, known locally as 'NIESA', caught at about  
> 300m in
> the Mozambique Channel, off the west coast of the Comoros.  It has  
> small
> hairs on its scales and is believed to have medicinal properties.   
> Please
> check the following links for photos:
>
> http://www.c-3.org.uk/Nessa.jpg
>
> http://www.c-3.org.uk/mouth.jpg
>
>
> Many thanks in advance
> Chris
>
> -- 
> Chris Poonian
> International Programme Manager
> Community Centred Conservation (C3)
> Tel (UK): +44 793 702 3338
> Tel (MU): +230 777 3338
> Fax (UK): +44 700 603 1572
> c-3.org.uk
> skype: chris.c-3
> To develop conservation efforts worldwide by building the capacity  
> of local
> individuals and institutions through grassroots research and training
> initiatives
>