Marine Life

Slender pinjalo

Kandu kirulhiyamas

Pinjalo lewisi

Randall, Allen, and Anderson (1987) cleared up the confusion between Pinjalo lewisi and the related P. pinjalo, which are very similar in overall appearance but differ in that P. pinjalo has 11 spines and 14-15 rays on its dorsal fin, 9-10 (usually 10) rays on its anal fin, and yellow pelvic and anal fins. Additionally, P. pinjalo appears to occur more around continental margins, while P. lewisi is more at home near oceanic islands.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 30 cm; max. 50 cm
color: Pink, silvery below. Pelvic and anal fins pale, pink or white. Sometimes with white spot on upper part of caudal peduncle.
order: Perciformes
family: Lutjanidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/pinjalo-lewisi.png
habitat and biology: This species inhabits reefs and rocky bottoms at depths of around 60 m, where it feeds on benthic and planktonic invertebrates, as well as possibly small fish.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with 12 spines and 13 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8-9 rays, and a pectoral fin with 17 rays. Its body is moderately deep, and its dorsal profile of the head is high with a strongly convex interorbital space. It has a small mouth, with the maxilla reaching below the front of the eye, and long pectoral fins that reach levels of the anus. The scale rows are oblique, and the caudal fin is emarginate.