Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata)

Scientific name: Cephalopholis cruentata Lacep?de, 1802

Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata)

The Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Central Atlantic, North Carolina to southern Florida (USA), Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and the Caribbean; including the Antilles.

Biology

Inhabit Thalassia beds and coral reefs. In the Gulf of Mexico, they are found on rocky reef ledge in depths greater than 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 of about 2,120 square m especially during the day. Are nocturnal predators, adults feed mainly on fishes, with preference on Chromis multilineata, juveniles feed on shrimps. Due to its small size, this is not a particularly sought-after species. Easily approached and fed by divers. Protogynous. Between 1995 and 2000, at least 10 specimens have been traded as aquarium fish at Cear?, Brazil.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Cephalopholis cruentata
Family
Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
42.6
Common length
20.0
Depth range
0–170 m (0–558 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 170 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Central Atlantic: North Carolina to southern Florida (USA), Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and the Caribbean; including the Antilles.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.34-0.35; tm=3.5-5.5; tmax=9; Fec=260,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated