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English Spanish 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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English	Spanish	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