Latin name

Cephalopholis cruentata

Other names

Spanish: enjambre, cherna enjambre, cuna cabrilla.

Identification

Graysby's colors range from pale gray to dark brown, with many dark oranges, red-brown spots on the body, fins, and chin. Along the base of the dorsal fin are three to five distinctive marks that look like pale or dark spots. Between the eyes from the back of the head to the lower lip is a white line. The spots change color, becoming either paler or darker in contrast to the body. The tail is more rounded than in similar species. The soft dorsal fin has 9 spines and 14 rays, compared to 15-17 rays in the closely related Сoney.

Distribution

Graysby live from North Carolina to the northern Gulf of Mexico, south to Brazil. Distributed in southern Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and also found in Bermuda.

Habitat

Small ledges and caves in coral beds and reefs are the preferred haunts of graysby, where they blend with the surroundings at depths between 10 and 60 feet.

Size

Graysby's usually grow to a length of 6 to 10 inches and can reach a maximum of 1 foot.

Life history and Behavior

No information

Food and feeding habits

Graysby are nocturnal predators, feeding mainly on fish.

Reproduction

No information