Crimson jobfish
- Pristipomoides filamentosus
- EnglishName: Crimson jobfish
- Local Name : Jambu giulhu
- Size : Common to 50 cm; max. 80 cm
- Family: LUTJANIDAE
- Order : Perciformes
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 12 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin with 15 or 16 rays. Body depth 3.3-3.8 in standard length. Body elongate and robust. Interorbital space broad. Lower jaw slightly protruding. Pectoral fins long, reaching level of anus.
- Colour: Sides and back red-brown with blue flecks (silvery when first caught). Margins of dorsal and caudal fins distinctive rusty orange. Habitat and Biology: Occurs over rocky bottoms at depths between 90 and 360 m. Moves to the upper portion of its depth range at night to feed on small fishes and crustaceans.
- Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
- Remarks: Until recently Pristipomoides filamentosus appeared to be rare in Maldives, but this was a result of its deep dwelling habits. Fishermen have in the last couple of years started deep handlining outside the atolls; as a result this species and other deep living fishes now appear fairly regularly in MaleĢ fish market. The two specimens on which this report is based were caught by longline in about 150 to 200 m depth outside K. Makunudhoo.