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Pacific graysby (Cephalopholis panamensis) — Serranidae

Pacific graysby

Cephalopholis panamensis
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific graysby (Cephalopholis panamensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 39 cm.

Length
39 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Panama graysby is a grouper of the family Serranidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 39 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown to olive body. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky shores and is a shy, retiring species that hides in crevices and holes. As an ambush predator it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. Like many groupers it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting as a female and later able to become male. The Panama graysby is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific graysby?

The Pacific graysby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pacific graysby live?

The Pacific graysby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Pacific graysby get?

The Pacific graysby grows to a maximum of about 39 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Pacific graysby dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific graysby is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific graysby edible?

Yes, the Pacific graysby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Panama-koraalbaars sourced
English name
Pacific graysby verified
Scientific name
Cephalopholis panamensis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Panama graysby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cephalopholis

More from the family Serranidae

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