FISHES

Fish that we can catch

Black grouper lives offshore and prefers rocky bottoms and coral reefs. Juveniles inhabit inshore areas in seagrass beds and mangroves. Younger fish move into deeper waters as they mature. Adults are solitary but they do form spawning aggregations. Spawning occurs during winter months from November to May but varies by region. As protogynous hermaphrodites, black grouper start as female and most transition to male around 15.5 years.

BLACK GROUPER (Mycteroperca bonaci)

inhabits the western Atlantic from North Carolina south to southern Brazil. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean Sea. Yellowfin grouper has two color morphs: greenish gray in shallow water and bright red in deeper water. It has oblong dark spots that form horizontal rows on its sides. Small red spots can often be seen on the belly. The pectoral fins always have a yellow margin.
Maximum observed age: 15 years.
Age at maturity: ~ 3 to 4 years
Maximum weight: 40.79 pounds (18.5 kilograms)
Maximum length: 39.37 inches (100 centimeters).
Minimum Size Limit: 20 inches total length
season: closed from February 1- March 31
Life History and Distribution:
This grouper lives at depths from 7 to 450 feet (2 to 137 meters).
Yellowfin grouper habitat includes reefs and rocky or muddy bottoms.
Juveniles live in seagrass beds until mature enough to move offshore.
Seasonal spawning times vary substantially in different regions within the Gulf of Mexico; generally, spawning occurs January to August. Yellowfin grouper form spawning aggregations and they share spawning sites with other groupers such as Nassau, black and tiger grouper.
Like other grouper species, yellowfin grouper is believed to change sex from female to male but this trait has not been definitively shown.

Yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)

, also known as Cuban snapper, inhabit the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Brazil; however, it tends to frequent tropical waters. This fish is the largest snapper in its geographical distribution. Cubera snapper may often be confused with gray (mangrove) snapper because of its similar coloration. It is dark to pale reddish gray. This fish tends to have a slenderer body than other snappers. Juveniles can have pale bars along their sides but these fade with age. Comparatively little is known about this species of snapper.
Maximum observed age: 55 years
Age at maturity: ~ 4 to 5 years
Maximum weight: 125.66 pounds (57 kilograms)
Maximum length: 63 inches (160.02 centimeters)
Minimum Size Limit: 12 inches total length.
Life History and Distribution
Cubera snapper is rarely seen above Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. Adults are solitary reef-associated fish, inhabiting nearshore rocky ledges and overhangs. To spawn, cubera snapper aggregate over deep water to release their eggs. Spawning occurs in late summer in the Caribbean. Eggs are released offshore, and pelagic larvae are carried by currents. Juveniles shelter from predators in inshore mangrove and seagrass habitats.

Cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus)

, also called mangrove snapper or “mangoes,” are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. They can vary in coloration, but are generally dark gray and brown on the upper half, with pink and orange coloration on the lower half of the fish. Their tail is broad and slightly forked. Males and females are largely indistinguishable from one another. Two stocks exist in the southeastern US: the Gulf of Mexico stock, and the Atlantic stock.
Maximum observed age: 32 years; 28 years
Age at Maturity: 2 years
Maximum weight: 48.83 lbs (22.15 kg) whole weight.
Maximum length: ~35 inches (89 cm)
Minimum Size Limit: 12 inches total length
Life History and Distribution
Gray snapper occur in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters from Brazil to Bermuda, and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Spawning occurs primarily in the summer months, between May and September. Gray snapper spend their first month of life in a larval phase, floating as plankton. As juveniles, gray snapper settle nearshore in estuaries, seagrass beds or shallow reefs, and gradually move offshore as they grow larger. Adults are often reef- or structure-associated.

Gray snapper(Lutjanus griseus)

Color brown with a bronze tinge, lighter on sides; canine teeth very sharp, one pair notably enlarged, visible even when mouth is closed; in adults, pale triangle and a light blue interrupted line below the eye; no dark spot on body underneath dorsal fin.
Similar Fish: schoolmaster, L. apodus (no white triangle under eye and fins are more yellow); other snappers.
Where found: large adults OFFSHORE over coral and rocky reefs; juveniles associated with estuaries.
Size: large snapper, attaining 30 pounds.
Remarks: spawns from spring through fall; known as night feeder; taking fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Dog Snapper(Lutjanus jocu).

, is a member of the Snapper or Lutjanidae Family, and known in Mexico a pargo canchix. They received their common name by being a schooling species forming aggregates of several dozen individuals. Globally, there are sixty-seven species in the genus Lutjanus, of which nineteen found in Mexican waters, ten in the Atlantic and nine in the Pacific Ocean.
The Schoolmaster is a colorful subtropical fish with a robust slightly compressed body. They vary in color from olive gray to brownish on their upper back and upper sides transitioning to yellowish-red around their head and are lighter ventrally. Their head has blue stripes. They have yellow fins. They have 8 narrow light vertical bars on their sides which are more prominent in juvenile fish. Their head is large and pointed with a distinctive blue horizontal streak below the eyes which is less prominent with age and quickly fades after collection. One of their upper pairs of canine teeth is larger than their back teeth and is visible when their mouth is closed. Their head has a pointed snout with blue stripes and a large mouth. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 8 rays and is rounded; their caudal fin is large and straight; their dorsal fin is continuous with 10 spines and 14 rays; and their pectoral fins are long. They have 11 to 15 gill rakers on the lower arch. They are covered with scales.
The Schoolmaster is found in shallow waters over coastal coral reefs and close to the bottom at depths up to 60 m (200 feet). They reach a maximum of 61 cm (2 feet 0 inches) in length and 6.0 kg (13 lbs 4 oz) in weight but are normally in the 30 cm (12 inches) to 35 cm (14 inches) range. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 6.02 (13 lbs 4 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Key Largo, Florida in September 1999. They are nocturnal predators foraging in seagrass beds on crabs, mollusks, octopus, shrimp, and small fish and they take shelter during daylight. They are gonochorists with both males and females releasing gametes at the same time. The fertilized eggs settle to the bottom and are left unguarded.
The Schoolmaster is found in all waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
The Schoolmaster is most likely confused with juvenile Dog Snappers, Lutjanus jocu (white cone-shaped patch on gill cover)

The Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus)

found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. This fish is easy to recognize because it has a distinctive yellow band that starts at the snout, getting wider as it extends to the forked tail. The entire tail fin becomes yellow starting at the base near the body of the fish. This snapper is a bluish olive color on its sides with yellow spots above the yellow lateral band.
Maximum observed age: 20 years.
Age at maturity: 100% mature at age 4 years.
Maximum weight: 10.19 pounds (4.62 kilograms).
Maximum length: 33.98 inches (86.30 centimeters).
Minimum Size Limit: 12 inches total length.
Life History and Distribution
Despite its wide range, yellowtail snapper is most abundant in the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean. Spawning aggregations form offshore throughout the year in south Florida and the Caribbean, with peak spawning occurring generally when the water is warmest in a given location. Eggs and larvae are pelagic until they settle out on suitable habitat; juveniles are most often found in seagrass beds. Adults are found in coastal waters near reefs, usually well above the bottom, forming small schools.

Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

The Pluma Porgy (Calamus pennatula)

, is a single genetic stock, and is found from Massachusetts south to Brazil. Within the Gulf of Mexico. Mutton snapper is an olive color, progressing from darker to lighter in color from top to bottom. Distinguishing features include blue lines below and behind the eyes with a small black spot present on both sides. The anal fin and rear edge of the dorsal fin are pointed and the tail fin is rounded. Mutton snapper is often confused with lane snapper; the small blue streaks on the face and the pointed anal and dorsal fins distinguish muttons from lanes.
Maximum observed age: 40 years
Age at maturity: 100% mature at ~5 – 7 years
Maximum weight: 30.25 pounds (13.72 kilograms) whole weight
Maximum length: 37.95 inches (96.40 centimeters) observed
Minimum Size Limit: 18 inches total length.
Life History and Distribution
Although mutton snapper can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Brazil. It is most often found in tropical waters such as the Caribbean Sea and the Bahamas. Eggs and larvae are pelagic, floating in the water column until they settle in shallow inshore waters. As juveniles, mutton snapper shelters in seagrass and mangrove habitats. Mutton snapper is a solitary fish that likes structure, and tends to move offshore into deeper water as it ages.5 It spawns in aggregations from February to August depending on location and water temperature.

Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis)

, is a common member of the Jack or Carangidae Family, that is known in Mexico as jurel blanco. Globally, there are seventeen species in the genus Caranx, of which nine are found in Mexican waters, three in the Atlantic and five in the Pacific and one in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The Horse-eye Jack has a moderately compressed deep oblong body with a depth that is 29% to 33% of standard length. They are dark blue to blue-gray dorsally and silvery-white to golden ventrally. Their caudal fin is yellow and their dorsal fin and upper portion of their caudal fin have dark tips. They have prominent black scutes along their caudal fin base. Juveniles have broad black bars along their sides. They have a rounded head, a blunt snout, disproportionately large eyes (after which they are named), and a large mouth that extends past the eyes and opens at the front. Their pectoral fins are pointed. They have 22 to 25 gill rakers and 32 to 39 scutes. Their lateral line is strong with a moderately long anterior arch. Their body is covered with small scales.
The Horse-eye Jack is a pelagic subtropical schooling fish, with adults usually found in offshore rocky reefs at depths up to 420 feet and juveniles found in large schools along shores of sandy beach, over muddy bottoms, and in brackish rivers. They reach a maximum length of 1.10 m (3 feet 7 inches). As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record for length stood at 77 cm (2 feet 6 inches) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Bimini, Bahamas in June 2011 The corresponding world record for weight stood at 14.51 kg (32 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught from coastal waters off in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas in September 2012. They are opportunistic predators feeding on benthic and pelagic fish as well as squid and crustaceans.
The Horse-eye Jack is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean.
The Horse-eye Jack can be confused with the Crevalle Jack, Caranx hippos (prominent black spot on pectoral fin base).
From a conservation perspective the Horse-eye Jack is currently considered to be Highly Vulnerable and subject to EXTINCTION due to heavy fishing pressure. They are a very popular game fish for recreational anglers. They are also fished commercially via purse seines and traps. They are sold commercially on a limited basis, although their food value is viewed as marginal and larger fish are known to contain ciguatoxin.

The Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus)

, is a member of the Jack or Carangidae Family, and is known in Mexico as jurel común and simply toro. Globally, there are seventeen species in the genus Caranx, of which nine are found in Mexican waters, three in the Atlantic, five in the Pacific and one in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The Crevalle Jack has a moderately compressed deep oblong body with a depth that is 30% to 34% of standard length. They are greenish-blue dorsally and silvery-white to yellow on their lower sides. They have a black spot on their gill covers and a black blotch on the lower corner of their pectoral fin. Their anal and caudal fins are yellowish. They have a blunt snout and fairly small eyes set high on their rounded head. Their mouth is large extending past the eyes and opens at the front. Their anal fin has 2 spines followed by 1 spine and 16 to 17 rays and a raised front lobe; their caudal fin has a slender base and is deeply forked; their first dorsal fin has 8 spines and a raised front lobe; their second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 19 to 21 rays; and, their pectoral fins are longer than the head. They have 6 to 9 upper gill rakers and 16 to 19 gill rakers on the lower arch. They are covered with scales. They have a pronounced lateral line with a moderately long anterior arch with 25 to 35 strong scutes.
The Crevalle Jack is a pelagic species that is found at all depths up to 100 m (330 feet) with larger fish being normally found in deeper waters. They reach a maximum of 1.29 m (4 feet 3 inches) in length and 35.4 kg (58 lbs 6 oz) in weight. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record for length stood at 1.01 m (3 feet 4 inches) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Central Africa in September 2013. The corresponding world record for weight stood at 30 kg (66 lbs 2 oz) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Angola in June 2010. They are common at 2 feet in length with females being larger than males. Adults travel in schools or as solitary individuals while juveniles travel in large schools. They are an important apex diurnal predator found in all tropical inshore waters preying upon on a variety of fish, shrimp, and invertebrates. In turn they are preyed upon by many surface feeding carnivores, including striped marlins and seabirds. The Crevalle Jack is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Crevalle Jack is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean.
The Crevalle Jack is virtually identical to the Pacific Crevalle Jack, Caranx caninus (21-27 gill rakers; 34-43 scutes).
From a conservation perspective the Crevalle Jack is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are targeted by both commercial and recreational fishermen. Commercially they are caught with gillnets, longlines, and beach seines in coastal waters from 10 m (33 feet) to 40 m (131 feet) water off Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. The are sold fresh, frozen, smoked, and dried salted but they are considered to be a valued food fish. In addition, larger fish are known to contain ciguatoxin. They are also utilized to produce fishmeal and fish oil. For recreational anglers the Crevalle Jack is are one of the most famous species in Mexican waters and known for their strength and are viewed as a “superb light tackle species”. They are commonly used in the aquarium trade.
Length versus Weight Chart: A Pacific Crevalle Jack Weight From Length Conversion Table has been included in this website that can also be used for the accurate determination of a Crevalle Jack’s weight from its length and to hopefully promote its rapid and unharmed return to the ocean. The Crevalle Jack is virtually identical to the Pacific Crevalle Jack, thus this table “works.”

Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos)

, is a member of the Jack or Carangidae Family, and known in Mexico as cojinuda amarilla. There are twenty-two global members of the genus Carangoides, of which four are found in Mexican waters, two in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific Ocean.
The Yellow Jack has a moderately deep compressed elongated body which is typical of the genus Caranx. They are pale yellow to greenish-blue dorsally transitioning to silver ventrally. Their fins have a golden-brown tinge. Larger fish are more yellow and have bright yellow fins. Juveniles have 5 vertical bands which fade to blotches and then disappear with maturity. Their head is slightly curved and their eyes have well-developed adipose eyelids. Their mouth is relatively small and does not reach the eyes; it is equipped with narrow bands of villiform teeth on both jaws. Their anal fin has 2 standalone spines followed by 1 spine and 21 to 24 rays; their caudal fin has slender base and is deeply forked; their first dorsal fin has 7 spines; their second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 25 to 28 rays; and, their pectoral fins are longer than the head. Their anal fin has slightly pronounced lobes and is similar to the second dorsal fin. They have 6 to 9 gill rakers on the upper arch and 18 to 21 gill rakers on the lower arch. Their body is covered with smooth scales. Their lateral line has a slightly extended anterior curve with 22 to 28 scutes.
The Yellow Jack is found on and adjacent to offshore reefs, in the sandy shallows of the Caribbean Islands, and in open waters at depths up to 50 m (165 feet). They reach a maximum of 1.0 m (3 feet 4 inches) in length and 14 kg (36 lbs) in weight. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 10.77 kg (23 lbs 12 oz) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Duck Key, Florida in November 2013. Adults are solitary or found in small groups. They consume small fish including blennies, parrotfish, snappers, and wrasses. In turn they are preyed upon by larger fish and marine mammals; juveniles are preyed upon by sea birds. Reproduction occurs in groups of approximately 300 fish during the winter months. The eggs are pelagic and fertilized externally. Juveniles live near the surface among sargassum weed and jellyfish for protection from predation.
The Yellow Jack is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
The Yellow Jack is fairly similar to five other Jacks: the Bar Jack, Caranx ruber (blue stripe on top of back), the Black Jack, Caranx lugubris (black scutes), the Blue Runner, Caranx crysos (caudal fin with black tips), the Crevalle Jack, Caranx hippos (gill cover with black spot), and the Horse-eye Jack, Caranx latus (prominent black scutes).
From a conservation perspective the Yellow Jack is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are targeted by commercial fishermen being caught by hook and line, seines, and trawls, but nominal levels. They are marketed fresh or salted and their meat is considered fair to good but is known to contain ciguatoxin significantly reducing their importance as a food fish. They are caught by recreational anglers also at nominal levels.

The Yellow Jack (Carangoides bartholomaei)

The Ocean Triggerfish (Canthidermis sufflamen)

is a member of the Jack or Carangidae Family, and is known in Mexico as arcoiris and macarela salmón. It is the only global member of the genus Elagatis, and it is found in Mexican waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
The Rainbow Runner has an elongated fusiform body that taper at both ends that has a depth that is 21% to 25% of standard length. They are dark olive-green to blue dorsally and white ventrally. They have 2 narrow light blue or bluish-white horizontal stripes along their sides straddling a broad olive or yellowish stripe. Their fins have an olive or yellow tint. Their head and snout are pointed. They have a small mouth that opens at the front and ends well before the eyes. Their anal fin has 1 standalone spine followed by 1 spine and 18 to 20 rays following by 2 standalone rays; their caudal fin is deeply forked; their first dorsal fin has 6 spines; their second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 25 to 28 rays; their pectoral fins are short; and, their pelvic fins have 1 spine and 5 rays. Their soft anal fin base is significantly shorter than their soft dorsal fin base. They have 6 or 7 gill rakers on the upper arch and 15 to 20 fill rakers on the lower arch. Their body is covered with small oval scales. Their lateral line has a slight arch anteriorly.
The Rainbow Runner is a pelagic species found in the epipelagic zone in and around coral and rocky reefs in large schools from near the surface to depths up to 149 m (490 feet). They reach a maximum of 1.8 m (5 feet 11 inches) in length. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 17.05 kg (37 lbs 9 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Clarion Island in November 1991. They feed on crustaceans, small fish, and squid. Reproduction occurs via the release of pelagic eggs spawned during the summer. The Rainbow Runner is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Rainbow Runner is a wide-ranging and circumtropical species found in the Atlantic Ocean and western and eastern Pacific Ocean. In Mexican waters they are a resident of all waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean; in the Pacific they are limited to the tip of the Baja, Baja California Sur, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala.
The Rainbow Runner can be confused with the Rainbow Chub, Sectator ocyurus (wider body) and the Jack Mackerel, Trachurus symmetricus (lacks blue stripes).
From a conservation perspective the Rainbow Runner is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are a target of both commercial and recreational fishermen. Commercially they are caught with hook and line, gill nets and seines at a level of 20,000 tons per year and marketed fresh and dried-salted and considered to be excellent table faire. They are a by-catch of the tuna fishery. They are caught infrequently by recreational anglers but considered to be an excellent sportsfish.

The Rainbow Runner (Elagatis bipinnulata)

are the only member of their genus. Cobia are long and slim with a broad, flat head. The dorsal side of the fish is dark brown in color, while the ventral side is milky white. The lateral line is dark and obvious, and runs through the eye to the forked tail. Cobia have many small teeth in their mouths, and approximately eight short, unconnected spines between the head and dorsal fin. According to stock characteristics the maximum age is 11 years, the maximum weight is 68 kg (150 pounds) whole weight, and the maximum length is 198 cm (78 inches) total length.
Life History and Distribution
Cobia migrate seasonally, and can be found in the northern Gulf from March to October and in the southern Gulf and south Florida from November to March. In the Gulf, spawning occurs in coastal waters from April to September at temperatures ranging from 23-28 °C (73-82 °F). Cobia which are ready to spawn display a white horizontal stripe down each side of the body. Eggs are found in the top meter (3 ft) of the water column, drifting with the currents, and are estimated to hatch within 36 hours. From May to September, larvae are commonly found in surface waters, and occasionally at depths of up to 300 m (984 ft), where they likely feed on zooplankton. Larvae transition to coastal and offshore waters as juveniles after approximately 25 days, often guided by currents, feeding on small fishes, squid, and shrimp. Adult cobia are found in coastal and offshore waters in depths up to 70 m (230 ft). Adults feed on fishes and crustaceans, including crabs.

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

is one of the most common members of the Mackerel or Scombridae Family, that is also known as the Atlantic Spanish Mackerel and in Mexico as sierra común. Globally there are eighteen species in the genus Scomberomorus, of which five are found in Mexican waters, three in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific Ocean.The Spanish Mackerel has an elongated, strongly compressed, fusiform, and torpedo-shaped body. They are greenish-blue dorsally and transition to silvery white ventrally and on their lower sides. Their first dorsal fin is black. Their sides have 3 or 4 rows of numerous elliptical yellow to bronze spots with larger fish having more spots than smaller fish. Their head has a short pointed snout and a modest-sized mouth that extends to the rear margin of the eyes and is equipped with a single row of large, uniformly-sized, closely-spaced teeth on each jaw. Their anal fin does has 16 to 20 rays and is followed by either 8 or 9 finlets; their caudal fin is deeply forked with 1 large and 2 smaller keels at its base; their first dorsal fin has 17 to 19 spines; their second dorsal fin has 17 to 20 rays and closely follows the first and is higher and similar in shape to the anal fin, and is followed by 8 or 9 finlets; and, their pectoral fins are short. They have 11 to 16 gill rakers. Their body is covered with small scales and their lateral line gradually curves down toward the caudal fin base.The Spanish Mackerel is a coastal pelagic schooling species found in the subtropical and tropical waters off North America and the Caribbean. They are found from the surface to depths up to 35 m (115 feet) in waters with temperatures between 20oC (68oF) and 30oC (86oF) and travel in large schools near the surface and close to shore. They are dimorphic with females living longer and being larger than males. Females reach a maximum of 1.01 m (3 feet 4 inches) in length and 5.9 kg (13 lbs 0 oz) in weight; males reach a maximum of 48 cm (19 inches) in length. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record for length stood at 64 cm (2 feet 1 inches) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Marathon, Florida in December 2011. The corresponding world record for weight stood at 5.89 kg (13 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off North Carolina in November 1987. The Spanish Mackerel make long seasonal migrations very close to shore moving northward during the summer when water temperatures increase and return in the fall. Juveniles grow rapidly until age 5, then experience slower growth. They are voracious opportunistic predators and consume small fish including anchovies, clupeids, and herrings as well as cephalopods and shrimp on a limited basis. They are preyed upon by larger pelagic fish including sharks and tuna, marine mammals including bottlenose dolphins, and various sea birds. Reproduction is oviparous with each female broadcasting gametes into the water column that are quickly fertilized by males. Eggs are pelagic and generally hatch within 25 hours. Females have lifespans of up to 11 years; males have lifespans of up to 6 years.The Spanish Mackerel is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean but only on a seasonal basis.The Spanish Mackerel is very similar in appearance to the Cero, Scomberomorus regalis (yellow-orange stripe along mid-flank), the small King Mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla (first portion of dorsal fin not black; abrupt drop in lateral line mid-body), and the Sierra Spanish Mackerel, Scobmeromorus brasiliensis (absent from Mexican waters, found in Belize waters. It is also virtually identical to the Gulf Sierra, Scomberomorus concolor and the Pacific Sierra, Scomberomorus sierra, both found only in the Pacific Ocean.From a conservation perspective the Spanish Mackerel is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. In the United States they are closely monitored and heavily regulated with seasonal closures and daily bag and length limits, however, they are totally unregulated in Mexico. They are a highly sought after commercial and recreational fish. Commercially, they are caught primarily with purse seines at levels of 10,000 tons annually in the southeastern United States as the use of drift gill nets was banned in 1989. They are sold fresh for use in sushi, frozen and smoked, however, they have a very short shelf-life and are known to contain ciguatoxin. I recommend that these fish be consumed the day of catch or not at all. They are strong foes for recreational anglers and caught from boats via trolling or from beaches, drifting boats, piers, and jetties with jigs, spoons, and live bait with the use of wire leaders being essential. They are considered to have a high food value.

Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus),

, is a member of the Mackerel or Scombridae Family, that is also known as the Cero Mackerel and the Painted Mackerel and in Mexico as sierra. Globally there are eighteen species in the genus Scomberomorus, of which five are found in Mexican waters, three in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific Ocean.
The Cero has an elongated fusiform, strongly compressed, torpedo-shaped body. Dorsally they are an iridescent bluish-green with the sides and belly silvery in color. They have a mid-lateral bronze stripe that runs from the pectoral fin to the base of the caudal fin and yellow-orange streaks along with three or four rows of small yellow spots above and below the lateral stripe. The anterior third of the first dorsal fin is bluish-black. Their head has a short pointed, snout with a mid-sized mouth that extends to the margin of the eyes and is equipped with a single row of large uniformly sized closely spaced teeth on each jaw. Their anal fin does not have spines but has 15 to 20 rays and is followed by 7 to 9 finlets; their caudal fin is deeply forked with 1 large and 2 smaller keels at its base; their first dorsal fin has 16 to 18 spines; their second dorsal fin has 15 to 19 rays and closely follows the first and is higher and similar in shape to the anal fin and is followed by 7 to 9 finlets; their pectoral fins are short; and their pelvic fins are long. They have 11 to 14 gill rakers. Their body is covered with small scales. Their lateral line gradually curves down toward the caudal fin base.
The Cero is a coastal pelagic schooling species found in the subtropical and tropical waters off North America and the Caribbean. They are normally found as solitary individuals and occasionally in schools over coral reefs, wrecks, and along ledges in the upper portions of the water column at depths up to 20 m (65 feet). They reach a maximum of 89 cm (2 feet 11 inches) in length and 7.8 kg (17 lbs 3 oz) in weight. They are a voracious opportunistic shallow water predator that feeds on herrings, silversides, shrimp and squid. They have the ability to swim at speeds of up to 48 kph (30 mph). In turn they are preyed upon by Wahoo, numerous Sharks, Dolphins and sea birds. Reproduction is oviparous with each female releasing between 160,000 and 2,230,000 eggs into the water column that are quickly fertilized by males. Eggs are pelagic and generally hatch within twenty-five hours. The Cero is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Cero is very similar and easily confused with the Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus (lacks the long thin stripe on the side; anterior of second dorsal not black), and the King Mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla. (lateral line dips below the second dorsal; 6 to 10 gill rakers; anterior of second dorsal not black except in juveniles).
In Mexican waters the Cero is a resident of Mexican waters of the Atlantic but has a limited distribution being found around the Yucatán Peninsula in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
From a conservation perspective the Cero is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are not a significant commercial species but in some parts of their region they are pursued by commercial fishermen via hook and line, gill nets and purse seines. They are a popular sport fish due to the speed, agility and quality as a food fish although they are known to contain ciguatoxin. They are frequently encountered by divers but normally flee.

Cero Mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis)

, is a member of the Mackerel or Scombridae Family, and is known in Mexico as peto or WAHOOOO! This fish is the only species in the genus Acanthocybium and one of the few species found in Mexican waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean.
The Wahoo has an elongated slightly compressed fusiform body that is designed aerodynamically for speed. They are iridescent blue-green dorsally and transition to silver ventrally with 24 to 30 irregular striking vertical cobalt blue bars on their sides, some of which are double “Y” shaped. They have a large mouth with a long pointed beak-like snout and strongly compressed triangular finely serrated sharp teeth. Their anal fin has 12 to 14 rays followed by 9 finlets; their caudal fin is deeply forked with 2 small keels separated by 1 large keel at the base; their first dorsal fin has long base with 23 to 27 spines; their second dorsal fin has 12 to 16 rays followed by 8 or 9 finlets; and, their pelvic fins are inserted below the pectoral fins. They have do not have gill rakers. Their body is covered with small scales. Their lateral line is complete and curves abruptly under the first dorsal fin.
The Wahoo is a global pelagic species found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. They are mainly found offshore from the surface to depths up to 295 m (970 feet) but will approach the shore in pursuit of small baitfish when food is abundant. They reach a maximum of 2.5 m (8 feet 2 inches) in length and 83.5 kg (184 lbs) in weight. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 83.5 kg (184 lbs) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, in July 2005. They are a highly migratory species and move to cooler waters during the summer months. They travel as solitary individuals or in small schools of up to 100 individuals. They are known to collect in and around drifting objects such as driftwood and patches of seagrass. This website includes a Weight From Length Conversion Table for the Wahoo allowing one to estimate with good accuracy the weight of a fish from its fork length. This allows the pleasure of catching a fish, determining its weight, and returning it to the ocean unharmed to live another day. The Wahoo is one of the fastest fish in the ocean capable of quickly accelerating to speeds of 100 km per hour (60 mph). They are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on other pelagic fish including tuna, flyingfish, dorados, jacks, herrings, pilchards, scads, and lanternfish as well as squid. They are preyed upon by various sharks, specifically the Silvertip Shark, Carcharhinus albimarginatus, and other large predatory fish. They have the ability to escape many predators due to their swimming speeds and strong endurance. They are relatively abundant, fast growing, and very fecund. Reproduction is oviparous with very short reproduction times. Females reach their reproductive age in 1 year and males in 2 years. Females are multiple batch spawners and highly fecund; they are known to spawn every 2 to 6 days or a total of 20 to 26 times a year releasing up to 100,000,000 eggs per year. Fertilization is external and the eggs and larvae are pelagic. Juveniles grow quickly and can triple their length in one year and then grow at about 4.0 cm (1.5 inches) per month thereafter. They are fast growing but have a high mortality rate. They have lifespans of up to 9 years.
The Wahoo is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. In the Pacific they are absent from north of Loreto, Baja California Sur, within the Sea of Cortez.
The Wahoo is a straightforward identification that cannot be confused with any other species.
From a conservation perspective the Wahoo is currently considered to be Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are not currently fished commercially, most likely because they are not a schooling species and therefore difficult to catch in abundance. They are caught primarily by longliners as a by-catch of other commercial fisheries targeting billfish, dorado, and tuna and have been taken at increasing rates, although catch levels are poorly documented. They have a wide global distribution with annual catch levels estimated at 8,000 tons. There are a limited number of global controls in place to help with conservation of this species. They are considered a quality food fish but also known to contain ciguatoxin and to accumulate mercury. They are marketed on a limited basis fresh, frozen, salted or smoked. In many parts of the world, they are caught by artisanal commercial fishermen to meet local demands. They are a highly targeted gamefish, especially in Mexican waters of the Pacific being prized for their initial burst of epic speed. In Southern Baja, way too much time is spent pursuing Wahoo, primarily for bragging rights, with a very low return on investment. They are normally pursued with trolled purple lures, chrome yo-yo iron, or trolled live bait with the best being the Jack Mackerel, however, the use of steel wire cable as a leader is essential.

The Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)

Mahi Mahi, Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus)

, is a member of the Billfish or Istiophoridae Family, and is known in Mexico as pez vela. They are one of the smallest members of the family. This is the only species in the genus Istiophorus and it is found in Mexican waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific, being one of the few fish found in Mexican waters of both oceans. Note: some members of the scientific community believe that the Sailfish found in the Atlantic is a separate species, the Atlantic Sailfish, Istiophorus albicans. The two fish are morphologically the same, although the Pacific species can weigh up to 100 kg (220 lbs) while the Atlantic species achieves a maximum of only 60 kg (132 lbs) in weight. I have elected to treat them as one and the same species.
The Sailfish has an elongated fairly compressed body. They have a long slender bill with a rounded cross section and a high sail-like first dorsal fin that is much larger than the body depth. They are dark silver in color with 20 bluish vertical bars on their sides and transition to pale silver ventrally. The membrane in their first dorsal fin is blue-black with numerous dark spots. Their head has a prolonged upper bill, relatively small eyes, and a mouth equipped with small teeth. Their anal fin has 2 spines and 12 to 25 rays; their first dorsal fin has a long base with 47 to 53 rays; their caudal fin is large and strongly forked; their second dorsal fin is very small and located at the rear; their pectoral fins are long and pointed; and their pelvic fins are very long and almost reach the anal fin; and there are 2 keels on the side of their tail base. Their lateral line is visible and curved over the pectoral fins and is straight toward the tail base. Their body is covered with small triangular scales.
The Sailfish is an oceanic and epipelagic species that is highly migratory but usually found in coastal environments above the thermocline at depths up to 40 m (130 feet). They are known to form small schools comprised of three to thirty individuals. They prefer water temperatures between 21oC (70oF) to 28oC (84oF). They reach a maximum of 3.48 m (11 feet 5 inches) in length. As of October 15, 2020, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 100.24 kg (221 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Ecuador in February 1947. In contrast the same record for a fish from the Atlantic stood at 64.6 kg (142 lbs 6 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Lobito Angola. A Sailfish Weight from Length Conversion Table has been included in this website to allow the accurate determination of fish weight from length so that these fish can be returned to the ocean unharmed (strongly recommended). They feed primarily on fish including halfbeaks, mackerel, and small tuna, crustaceans, and cephalopods and use their bill to spear and stun prey. Reproduction is via pelagic eggs with each female capable of releasing up to 5,000,000 eggs annually. Juveniles are fast growing and seldom seen by humans. They have a lifespan of up to 13 years.
The Sailfish are widespread and is a resident of all waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans with the exception that they are absent from the northern 20% of the Sea of Cortez.
The Sailfish cannot be confused with any other species due to its enormous dorsal fin.
From a conservation perspective the Sailfish is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable widely distributed populations. The Mexican Government has placed a ban on the catch and sale of Sailfish by commercial fishermen. The Sailfish is caught primarily by artisanal fishermen and as a bycatch of longline and purse seine fisheries. Annual catch rates are on the order of 2,000 metric tons. They are a highly prized targeted big game species, primarily due their phenomenal acrobatic aerial displays. Due to their poor food value they are not of commercial interest and normally a “catch and release.” In some cultures they are utilized on a limited basis for sashimi and sushi, broiled and baked, and sold fresh, smoked, and frozen.

Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)

The Red Lionfish (Pterois volitrans)

The Red Lionfish (Pterois volitrans)

Scientific Name: Panulirus argusFamily: PalinuridaeCategory: Spiny LobstersSize: 6 in. to 2 ft. Depth: 3-200 ft. (1-60 m)Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida

Caribbean Spiny Lobster.

Family: Octopodidae
Category: Octopuses
Size: 1 to 2 ft. (30 to 60 cm)
Depth: 15-75 ft. (5-23 m)
Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida

Octopus Scientific Name: Octopus briareus

Hogfis (Lachnolaimus maximus)

Hogfis (Lachnolaimus maximus)

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