The graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) is a small, stout grouper often seen lurking around coral reefs in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. With its mottled brownish-red spots and big, expressive eyes, the graysby has a perpetually grumpy look, as if it’s constantly judging the world around it. This sourpuss expression is partly due to the fish’s downturned mouth, which gives it a permanent frown, and its thick, muscular build, which adds to its tough-guy persona. But don’t let its scowl fool you—graysbies are actually quite shy and prefer the quiet life, hiding in crevices and ambushing small fish and crustaceans that swim too close. Their grumpy look may just be a front to keep other creatures from bothering them while they go about their business as stealthy reef predators. So, while they may appear to be the grouches of the reef, the graysby is just another fascinating, if somewhat misunderstood, character in the underwater world.
