Pacific Graysby

The Pacific Graysby, a fish that looks like a mix between a small grouper and an alien, is a common inhabitant of the Pacific Ocean. Vibrant blue and orange dots on their snout are what gives the species its outer space look, and helps it remain perfectly camouflaged within the coral reef. As you could have guessed by now, this species belongs to the grouper family, subfamily including anthias and sea bass.

A fierce guardian of its territory, it defends its chosen crevice from intruders. Despite its size, it stands its ground impressively well. Pacific graysby hunt from dusk till dawn, hunting small fish and invertebrates. Its impressive speed and silent movements are what makes it an incredible predator. 

Being able to watch the graysby underwater is a perfect reminder of the quiet drama and beauty that thrive beneath the waves, inviting Pacific divers to discover even more.

• 📇 Common Names: Pacific graysby, Panama graysby, Panamic graysby
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Cephalopholis panamensis
• 🐟 Family: Serranidae
• 🏋️‍♀️ Weight:
• 📏 Length: Up to 39 cm (common length: 20 cm). An adult has a brown and robust body with blue-edged orange spots on its face, dark bars on the sides which become more faint on its back, as well as a dark, blue-edged spot behind the eye.
  
  

🧜‍♂️Habitat: It lives in coral reefs and rocky shores in tropical waters at depths between 1 to 75 m (3 to 246 ft) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. For reproduction the spawning takes place around the full moon between May and September in warm waters. Spawning peak is July and August in the Gulf of California.

🥙Diet: Feeds on fishes and crustaceans.

⛽️FUN FACT: It is hermaphroditic and lives in harems made up of several females sharing one male. If the male dies, one of the females will change sex and become a new male. It can live up to 16 years.

📍In Bahia: It is very common to see near to corals and rocks. It is shy and secretive.