Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 1–150 m.
Scientific name: Cephalopholis fulva · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 44 cm
The coney is an epinephelid whose adults prefer coral reefs and clear water, and it usually hides in caves or under ledges during the day. It is protogynous, with females maturing at 16 cm total length and transforming to males at about 20 cm, and males are territorial; it feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans and may follow morays and snake eels to take the prey that they flush out. It is wary but approachable. It is recorded from 1 to 150 m. Its range is the western Atlantic, from South Carolina and Bermuda to southern Brazil; in the Gulf of Mexico it is found on clear deep reefs of at least 45 m, while at Bermuda and in the West Indies it is common in shallow water. Maximum length is about 44 cm total length, and it can live 11 years, maturing at about 14.7 cm. It is a commercial species, a gamefish and a commercial aquarium fish, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is high at 58 of 100 and resilience medium, and climate vulnerability is high at 58 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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