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Fish of the Oaxacan Coast

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Description
albacore,
longfin tuna
albacora, atún Blue, 2-4' long, edible, fished commercially, found in deep water not seen by scuba divers. Thunnus alalunga
anglefish pez angel Yellow, orange, & blue, to 1' in length, many species including Cortez and King, frequently seen around reefs.
amberjack madrigal Pink, 3' in length, found in deep water, seen by scuba divers, fished commercially by spearfishermen.
bango fish
(ray)
raya about 1' across, found on sandy bottoms, sometimes common in bays, seen by divers.
barracuda barracuda,
picuda
Brown, average 2' in length, found in deep water, occasionally seen by scuba divers.
black marlin,
blue marlin
marlin negro,
marlin azule
Blue-black to blue, to 8' in length, found in deep water, fished commercially and for sport (see visitor's comment), best fishing June through September, not generally seen by scuba divers. Photo Makaira indica/Makaira nigricans
Pacific boxfish pez caja About 7" in length, reds to dark gray with white spots, found in shallow rocky or reef areas. Photo. Ostracion meleagris
ocean whitefish blanquillo White, about 1' in length, with blue and yellow striped fins, found in fairly deep water near shore, rich white meat, served in restaurants in Puerto Angel, there's one at the Turtle Museum. Caulolatilus princeps
bonito barrioleta Black, about 2' in length, red meat, caught in large numbers by commercial fishermen, commonly served in Puerto Angel restaurants, used for shark bait, found in deep water and sometimes near shore.
butterfly fish muñeca Black and yellow, about 6" in length, very common, found in reefs.
chub chopa Gray, about 1' in length, edible, found in reefs, not seen often here.
croaker corvina Brown, about 2' in length, rare, found close to shore, not seen often here.
damselfish castañeta Brown, blue, & orange, many species from beaugregories to duskies, one of the most common reef fish here.
dolphin fish,
mahimahi
dorado Green and gold, about 3' in length, caught by sport fishermen, found in deep water, most common November through March, not normally seen by scuba divers. Photo
eagle ray raya Black with white sports and a large head, about 5' across, commonly seen by scuba divers, especially around the mouth of Tangolunda Bay in Huatulco.
grouper garropa Brown and rust, about 3' in length, found in deep water and sometimes seen in reefs.
grunt burro Black and gray, about 8" in length, found in reefs and around rocks, occasionally seen by divers.
jack toro Bluish-gray, 1-2' in length, found offshore but seen with some frequency by scuba divers.
jewfish mero Brown, to about 3' in length, found in reefs, very common, especially below the lighthouse at Puerto Angel, most are juveniles.
king anglefish ángel real Blue and yellow, about 1 foot long, found in shallow reef areas. Photo. Holacanthus passer
lobster langosta seen by divers except when the water is very warm, more common at night, fished commercially. Photo.
mackerel sierra Gray with gold spots, about 2' in length, found offshore, seasonal, sometimes the bays are full of them. Scomberomorus
moorish idols idolo moro Black & white stripped, 10" in length, found in reefs, common in places, seen by divers. Photo. Zanclus cornutus
moray eel morena At least nine species found locally, some with elaborate markings, found in reefs, seen by divers, common at night.
zebra moray morena cebra About 2 feet long, feed on crabs and other crustaceans and mollusks. Photo. Echidna zebra
mullet lisa Gray, about 2' in length, found in sandy bays, seasonal, sometimes filling the bays, attract preditors.
Mexican needlefish agujón Blue-black in color, about 3' in length, found in deep water but coming inshore to the surface at night, attracted by the lights, common. Photo. Tylosurus crocodilus
octopus pulpo To 18" across, found in rocks and sandy bottoms, fairly common but are hidden and seen occasionally by divers, fished commercially.
parrotfish perico,
pez loro
Green, pink, blue, orange, about 1' in length, fairly common in reefs, especially blue and green bumpheads.
azure parrotfish perico, pez loro Bright blue, about 1' in length, reef fish. Photo. Scarus compressus
bumphead parrotfish guacamaya, perico Bright blue-green, about 1' in length, reef fish. Photo. Scarus perrico
pompano pápano Gray, about 1' in length, found near shore.
puffer botete, pez globo Black with white spots, yellows, and spiney varieties are common, about 8" in length, poisonous to eat, found in reefs, seen frequently by divers. Photo. Arothron meleagris
Pacific porgy pez de pluma Tan, 1-2' in length, found near sandy shores.
red snapper huachinango,
pargo
Reddish pink, 1-2' in length, commonly found in deep water around the rocks, the local variety have elongated canine teeth, fished at night. Photo. Lutjanus peru
roosterfish pez gallo Black and blue, iridescent, about 3' in length, fished in shallow beach areas, good to eat. Photo. Nematistius pectoralis
sailfish pez vela Blue-black, to 6' in length, found in deep water, commonly caught by sport fishermen, best fishing June through September, not seen by scuba divers. Photo Istiophorus platypterus
sardine sardina Blue-black, about 8" in length, found offshore.
scorpion fish pez alacrán Brown, black, gray, white, 6-18" in length, several varieties, found in rocks, seen by divers, common but difficult to spot.
sea bass cabrilla Brown, ruddy, 1-2' in length, found in reefs, occasionally sighted in remote bays by scuba divers.
shark tiburón Black to blue, 2-5' in length, hammerheads, grays, white-tip, black-tip and others, found offshore, fished commercially year round sometimes in great numbers, only occasionally seen in the distance by scuba divers.
angel shark tiburón angel bottom dwellers, common around islands near Huatulco, especially Risco la Blanca, seen by divers. Photo. Squatina californica
blacktip shark volador, sardinero gray body with black tips on all fins, found near the surface offshore. Photo. Carcharhinus limbatus
scalloped hammerhead shark cornuda, pez martillo, cruz travel in schools, inshore or offshore, identified by the three notches on the leading edge of its head. Photo. Sphyrna lewini
great hammerhead shark travel in schools, inshore or offshore, identified by the single notch on the leading edge of its head. Sphyrna mokarran
whitetip shark - gray body with white tips on most fins, found near the surface well offshore. Photo. Carcharhinus longimanus
shrimp camarón common at times, fished commercially.
snake eel moreno White and purple, 8' in length 1-1/2" in diameter, found among rocks, occasionally seen by divers at night.
black snook róbalo Black-brown, 2-3' in length, found in lagoons, seen by divers. Photo. Centropomus nigrescens
spadefish chambo Black and silver, about 1' in length, very common, found in reefs and sandy bottoms.
sting-ray pastinaca Dark gray, 6-8' across, found on sandy bottoms, occasionally seen by divers.
yellowtail surgeon fish cochinito Blue with yellow fins, seen by divers, especially common at Risco La Blanca, La Entrega, and the shipwreck beneath the lighthouse at Huatulco. Photo. Prionurus punctatus
swordfish pez espada Black to blue, about 5' in length, found in deep water, fished commercially and for sport, not seen by divers. Xiphias gladius (broadbill swordfish)
triggerfish pez puerco Several varieties and colors, blue, rust, brown, and black, 1-2' in length, very common, found in reefs.
wahoo peto, guahu Green to blue, 2-5' in length, found in deep water, strong fighter, good to eat. Photo.   Acanthocybium solanderi
rainbow wrass Red, yellow, blue, 5" in length, females can change into males. Thalassoma lucasanum
yellowfin tuna atún amarilla Bright blue and yellow colors that fade quickly when the fish dies, 2-5' in length, long pectoral fins, found in deep water, abundant, fished commercially, most common November through March, often served in restaurants in Puerto Angel. Photo. Thunnus albacares
yellowtail jurel de aleta amarilla Blue and yellow, 2-4' in length, very common, found offshore, good to eat. Photo. Seriola lalandei


Fishing in Huatulco
Scuba Diving
Mexico Withholds Tuna Fleets' Infractions Data


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