Sealife guideThe graysbyCephalopholis cruentata
Last updated on 03/11/2025 at 10:04 AM
Taxonomy
English names
Graysby
French namesVieille de rocheMérou coné essaim
Spanish namesCherna enjambre
Scientific nameCephalopholis cruentata (Lacepède, 1802)
FamilyEpinephelidae
OrderPerciformes
ClassActinopterygii
Description
The graysby is characterized by its fins and body, which are completely covered with reddish spots. Additionally, three spots of black and sometimes white, appear on the upper part of its back.
The graysby is a fish whose maximum size can reach up to 24 inches in length.
Geographic range
The graysby is found in the northwestern waters of the Atlantic ocean, as well as in the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It can be found along the coasts of Florida, the Florida Keys islands and the Caribbean islands like Guadeloupe.
Habitat
The graysby frequents rocky bottoms and coral reefs, where it seeks shelter in crevices or under overhangs.
Diet
The graysby primarily feeds on fish and crustaceans, which it hunts while camouflaged in its hiding spot.
Did you know ?
The graysby is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The graysby appears in the IUCN Red List since 2018 within the category Least Concern !
Within the same genus

Bluespotted grouperCephalopholis cyanostigma

ConeyCephalopholis fulva

Coral hindCephalopholis miniata

Darkfin hindCephalopholis urodeta

Halfspotted grouperCephalopholis hemistiktos

Pacific creolefishCephalopholis colonus

Peacock grouperCephalopholis argus

Tomato grouperCephalopholis sonnerati
Within the same family

Blacktip grouperEpinephelus fasciatus

Greasy grouperEpinephelus tauvina

Highfin coral grouperPlectropomus oligacanthus

Honeycomb grouperEpinephelus merra

Malabar grouperEpinephelus malabaricus

Red grouperEpinephelus morio

Roving coral grouperPlectropomus pessuliferus

Starry grouperEpinephelus labriformis
Discover also

Abudjubbe wrasseCheilinus abudjubbe

Black-spot angelfishGenicanthus melanospilos

Blackspotted rubberlipsPlectorhinchus gaterinus

Blue-axil chromisChromis caudalis

Bluestriped fangblennyPlagiotremus rhinorhynchos

Bump-head sunfishMola alexandrini

European flounderPlatichthys flesus

Five-lined cardinalfishCheilodipterus quinquelineatus
The marine species in the Caribbean
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