Saltwater · Year-round on Caribbean reefs; spawning in winter-spring
Coney
Cephalopholis fulva
The smallest Caribbean grouper — a colour-changing reef dweller in red, bicolour and yellow phases, from Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean. Taken on light bottom rigs over patch reefs.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Three colour phases: deepwater red, shallow bicolour (dark above, pale below) and all-yellow xanthic
- Small dark-edged pale blue spots cover the head and body in red and bicolour phases
- Two small black spots on top of the caudal peduncle and two at the tip of the lower jaw — in all phases
- Small grouper, rarely over about 40 cm
- Look-alike: red hind is larger and red-spotted with a plain tail edge; coney is smaller with blue spots and the twin tail-base spots
Habits
- A small reef grouper that holds in holes and under ledges, darting out at prey
- Feeds on small fishes and shrimp and crabs, mainly by day
- Changes colour pattern in seconds between bicolour and plain phases; pale with bars at night
- Males defend harems on small reef territories
Distribution
Where to find them
- Patch reefs and coral heads in 10-40 ft
- Rocky ledges beside sand channels
- Seagrass edges where they meet reef
Where they live
How to catch them
Light bottom fishing on patch reefs Boat
Rig: Small bottom rig, 1-2 oz sinker, 2/0 hook
Bait/lure: Shrimp pieces, squid strips
Key tip: Anchor right over the patch and drop baits beside ledges; coneys dart from holes.
Micro jigs at coral heads Boat
Rig: 1/8-1/4 oz jigs tipped with shrimp on light tackle
Bait/lure: Tiny jigs tipped with shrimp
Key tip: Hop the jig at the base of coral heads and be ready for the quick dash from a hole.
Live bait at ledges Boat
Rig: Small live bait on 20 lb leader with a light sinker
Bait/lure: Small live baitfish
Key tip: Drift the bait past reef caves; coneys rarely leave cover far.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 6.5-7 ft light-medium spinning rod
- Line: 15-25 lb braid or mono, 25 lb fluorocarbon leader
- Terminal: Small bottom rigs, tiny jigs, 2/0-3/0 hooks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod
≈ US$110-170
Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.
Line · Budget
50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)
≈ US$25-40
Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.
Terminal · Budget
Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs
≈ US$25-40
A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.
Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.
Typical size
Common 6-12 in (under 1 lb); max about 44 cm / roughly 2 lb
On the table
Good — a small, mild panfish-sized grouper; many are released because of their size.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
Plan a trip for Coney
Build today's plan⚠ Heads-up: Coney doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.