Diet

• Cephalopholis panamensis is a carnivorous ambush predator that feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans, including shrimps and crabs.

Range

• The Pacific Graysby is endemic to the tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California southward to Ecuador.

• It occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• It inhabits coral reefs and rocky shores, generally remaining close to the bottom. It favours reef crevices and other sheltered areas and is described as shy and secretive.

Description

• The Pacific Graysby has a robust, oblong body, a large head and a rounded tail. It can reach about 37–39 cm in length.

• Adults are pale grey-brown to dark brown, with about nine or ten dark vertical bars across the body. The head has oblique pale bands and a network of reddish-orange and bluish-green spots, with a prominent dark patch immediately behind the eye.

• The pectoral fins are rounded and noticeably longer than the pelvic fins.