Cephalopholis panamensis (Steindachner 1876)

Distinguished by the following characteristics: body depth 2.7-2.9 in SL; head length 2.3-2.5 in SL; rounded preopercle, finely serrate; posterior and anterior nostril subequal; third dorsal spine, longest, membranes incised between anterior spines; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins, pectoral fin length 1.5-1.7 in head length; caudal fin rounded; lateral body scales strongly ctenoid; lateral line scales 48-49; lateral scale series 80-83 (Ref. 089707)

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Found in coral reefs; also along rocky shores (Ref. 5222). A shy and secretive species (Ref. 5222).

Found in coral reefs; also along rocky shores (Ref. 5222). A shy and secretive species (Ref. 5222). Feeds on fishes and crustaceans; reaches at least 25 years; recently confirmed as a protogynous hermaphrodite, spawning peaks in July and August in the Gulf of California (Ref. 089707).