Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cephalopholis cruentata
- Common name
- Graysby
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Epinephelidae
- Genus
- Cephalopholis
- Size
- 25–42 cm
- Depth
- 1–170 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Cephalopholis cruentata reaches 42 cm. Small grouper with beige to pink-brown or olive body with small red-orange spots scattered on flanks and 4 distinctive darker spots along back at dorsal base (identification feature). Lives from 1 to 170 m on coral reefs and rocky bottoms of Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Discreet territorial predator. More discreet than C. fulva but common. Appreciated photo subject for its dotted pattern.
Photo of Graysby
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Graysby?
- Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) reaches 25–42 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Graysby?
- Graysby is found between 1–170 m deep.
- Is the Graysby dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Graysby?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Graysby?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Cephalopholis
- Cephalopholis fulva - Coney
- Cephalopholis nigri - Niger hind
- Cephalopholis miniata - Coral grouper
- Cephalopholis argus - Peacock grouper
- Cephalopholis taeniops - African hind
- Cephalopholis panamensis - Panama Grouper
Other species in the family Epinephelidae
- Epinephelus marginatus - Dusky grouper
- Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
- Mycteroperca tigris - Tiger grouper
- Epinephelus fasciatus - Blacktip grouper
- Mycteroperca venenosa - Yellowfin grouper
- Epinephelus costae - Golden grouper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 279146)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2388866)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia