Bakemutsu is distributed in the southern Izu Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, southern Taiwan, the Samoa Islands, the Fiji Islands, and New Caledonia. It inhabits seamounts and rocky reefs at depths of 60 to 500 meters. The body is elongated and laterally compressed. The body color is dark purplish brown, with the edges of the dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin being dark. It grows to about 40 cm in total length.

Bakemutsu was previously classified in the family Acropomatidae but has recently been reclassified in the family Malakichthyidae. It may resemble the Gnomefish (Kuromutsu) in appearance. Its flesh is thin, pink, and tender, yet fatty and very delicious. As it is a species closely related to the representative species of the Acropomatidae family, Nodoguro, it is undoubtedly a delicious fish. However, it is rarely caught in Japan.

Common name: －

Japanese name: Bakemutsu (バケムツ)

Scientific name: Verilus pacificus (Mochizuki 1979)

Nigiri sushi detail: Bakemutsu Nigiri sushi