Graysby

Photo Credit: César Meiners-Mandujano (fishbase.us)
Family Groupers, hamlets, hinds, seabasses, sand-perches, tatleys
Scientific Family Serranidae
Scientific Name Cephalopholis cruentata
Spanish Name Enjambre
ITIS# 181220
Tail shape Rounded

Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins covered with scales and thick skin; has 4 contrasting spots, white or black, along body below dorsal fin base; color in market: pale orange, grey or brown with reddish spots; black spots on the upper body below the dorsal fin.


Biology

Lives on seagrass beds and coral reefs. In the Gulf of Mexico, they are found on rocky reef ledge in depths greater than 81 feet (27 m). Solitary and secretive, they usually stay near hiding places during the day. Prefer to remain within a small area of the home range especially during the day. This is fish is a night-time (nocturnal) predator. Adults feed mainly on fishes, with preference on brown chromis (a damselfish), while juveniles feed on shrimps.

Appearance

Body Shape
Fusiform
Color
Main Color: Beige
Other Color: Red-brown
Common Body Shape
Torpedo-shaped


Pattern
Spotted
Length
Avg Length: 8 inches (20 cm)
Max Length: 17 inches (43 cm)
Maximum Weight
2.4 lbs (1100 g)




Specifications

Handling Concerns
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Conservation Concerns
None
Range in USA
FL-TX


Abundance
Less Common


Other Species from same Family