Pristipomoides amoenus, formerly included as a synonym of P. argyrogrammicus, was recognised as a separate species by Shimose et al. (2020).

This species is known from several widely spaced localities (Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Fiji). It occurs at relatively deep depths of about 230–400 m and may be much more widespread in the Indo-West Pacific than is currently understood. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern with a recommendation to conduct further sampling to determine the extent of its distribution.

This species is known from several widely spaced localities: Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, and Amami-oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan (Shimose et al. 2020, Nakagawa et al. 2022); Pingtung, Taiwan; Panay Island, Philippines; and Viti Levu, Fiji (Nakagawa et al. 2022). It occurs sympatrically with Plectorhinchus argyrogrammicus (Shimose et al. 2020) with which it has long been confused with, and thus could be much more widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific. The depth range is 230–400 m.

There is very little data available on the population status of this species. It is sympatric with Plectorhinchus argyrogrammicus at Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, and some other localities, but records of the two species elsewhere are likely to have been confused, and an understanding of the extent of its range outside of Japan is presently uncertain (Nakagawa et al. 2022). During a market survey of the two species at Yaeyama Fisheries Cooperatives on Ishigaki Island between July 2010 and December 2013, this species accounted for only 5.5% of a total of 3,431 individuals recorded for the two species (Shimose et al. 2020).

In Okinawa, this species co-occurs with Plectorhinchus argyrogrammicus and both species are usually collected at a depth of ca. 230-400 m around Ishigaki Island by hook and line. The mean (± SD) and maximum fork lengths of this species are 22.5 (± 2.3) cm and 31.4 cm, respectively, but there is no information about sexual dimorphism. According to Shimose et al. (2020), local fishermen at Ishigaki Island say “P. amoenus is more often caught in sandy-muddy bottom areas than more rocky areas where P. argyrogrammicus is caught”.

No major threats have been identified for this species. At present, it is known to be fished mainly by subsistence and artisanal fisheries.

This species is caught mainly with hook and line. This species is smaller than Plectorhinchus argyrogrammicus and its flesh is considered of a lower quality; at Ishigaki Island, it is not considered a good fish for sale (Shimose et al. 2020).

This species' distribution overlaps some marine protected areas. Catch-and-release management strategies are likely to be ineffective for this deep-water species, as many deep-water fishes that inhabit waters over 100 m depth experience mortality due to decompression. Closed spawning seasons and protected areas have been suggested as necessary for the effective management of Plectorhinchus argyrogrammicus (Nanami 2011), with which it co-occurs, and the same may be true also for this species.