Red pinjalo (Pinjalo lewisi)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Pinjalo.

Accepted name: Pinjalo lewisi · Authority: Randall, Allen & Anderson, 1987 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 277116.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Pinjalo microphthalmus Lee, 1987.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277116 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Pinjalo lewisi. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 50 cm · Depth range: 20–150 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 44.4 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Often form schools (Ref. 90102). Inhabit reefs and rocky bottoms. They feed on benthic and planktonic invertebrates and possibly small fishes. Marketed fresh or dried-salted.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 8430) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pinjalo-lewisi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

94 georeferenced occurrence records for Pinjalo lewisi are published through GBIF from 8 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 37 distinct locations from a sample of 94 records, omitting 5 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Indonesia (49); Fiji (13); Australia (12); Philippines (10); Papua New Guinea (6); India (2); Sri Lanka (1); Solomon Islands (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385246) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385246&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277116 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Pinjalo lewisi Randall, Allen & Anderson, 1987 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 194373) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194373/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385246) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385246/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Pinjalo lewisi was first formally described in 1987 by John Ernest Randall, Gerald R. Allen & William D. Anderson Jr. with the type locality given as Dumaguete market on Negros in the Philippines. The specific name honours Anthony D. Lewis (b. 1948) then of the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Primary Industries in Fiji, in recognition of the many "valuable" specimens and photographs he allowed the authors access to, Lewis also donated a paratype.

Description

Pinjalo lewisi has a moderately deep body, the head has a steep dorsal profile and the space between the eyes is distinctly convex while the snout is short and sharp. The eye is large, its diameter being roughly the same as the length of the snout with an adipose eyelid. The small mouth reaches to the front of the eye. Each jaw has a row of small, conical teeth, which are enlarged at the front, and inside those isa band of bristle-like teeth.

The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 13 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays. These fins both have a fins scaly sheath at their base. The longpectoral fins extend to the level of the anus, and typically has 17 fin rays. The caudal fin is emarginate.

The overall colour is reddish to reddish-orange and there is a pale spot on the dorsal part of the caudal peduncle. They are able to quickly deepen or lighten their colour. This species attains a maximum standard length of 50 cm.

Distribution and habitat

Pinjalo lewisi Is found in the Indian Ocean at the Laccadive Islands, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Chagos Islands. They have also been recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands east into the Pacific to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands.

It has been recorded as far south as Australia where it is found from the vicinity of the Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island in the Timor Sea, to the northeast of Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, and from the reefs off Innisfail to Hervey Bay, Queensland. The planktonic larvae have been recorded to the south of the main range. This species is found at depths between 20 and 200 m and it occurs over deep coral and rocky reefs.

Biology

Pinjalo lewisi is frequently encountered in schools. This species feeds on both benthic and planktonic invertebrates, and may also feed on fishes. Spawning aggregations have been reported from Aceh, Sumatra.

Fisheries

Pinjalo lewisi is caught using handlines, traps and bottom trawls, and, in Australian waters, on deep drop-lines.

Source: Wikipedia: Pinjalo lewisi — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinjalo_lewisi (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.