Photos - Fish Identification
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S/V Hoku Pa'a
Photos - Fish Identification |
...click on the small photos for larger versions... All photos by Barb Peck & Bjarne Hansen. Non-commercial reuse OK with photo-credit to us. click here for the Hoku Pa'a home page.
Here are fish we have seen while snorkeling or diving along the Baja coast and in the Sea of Cortez. You'll note that some species have youngsters or phases with markedly different appearances. We've also included some non-fish marine life that seemed interesting. It's amazing underwater - get out there and explore if you can!
We list the common English, Spanish and taxonomic names (where known) for each. Most of the identifications were made with the help of this beautiful book: Reef Fish Identification: Baja to Panama, Paul Humann & Ned Deloach (2004). Any errors are our own fault - Please let us know of any mis-identified fish!
Hint: you can filter for words like "ray", "Wrasse", or "Blue". Places and dates (in MMM YYYY form) are also OK. Case doesn't matter. Longnose Puffer Botete Verrugoso Sphoeroides lobatus Puerto Los Gatos 2 Apr 2019 |
 GaffTopsail Pompano Pámpano Fino Trachinotus rhodopus Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Bullseye Electric Ray Ray Eléctrica Diana Diplobatis ommata Ensenada el Gallo Feb 2016 |
 Cortez Stingray Ray Redonda de Cortés Urobatis maculatus Ensenada el Gallo Feb 2016 |
 Giant Electric Ray Ray Eléctrica Gigante Narcine entemedor Ensenada el Gallo Feb 2016 |
 Reef Stingray Ray Redonda de Arrecife Urobatis concentricus Ensenada el Gallo Feb 2016 |
 Round Stingray (absent markings) Ray Redonda Comùn Urobatis halleri Ensenada el Gallo Feb 2016 |
 King Angelfish (juvenile) Ángel Real Holacanthus passer Caleta Nopolo Feb 2016 |
 King Angelfish Ángel Real Holacanthus passer Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Spotted Sharpnose Puffer Botete Bonito Canthigaster punctatissima Bahía Marquer Mar 2016 |
 Redhead Goby (gold stripe variant) Gobio Cabeza Roja Elacatinus punticulatus Caleta Nopolo Feb 2016 |
 Redhead Goby Gobio Cabeza Roja Elacatinus punticulatus Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Coral Hawkfish Halcón de Coral Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Caleta Nopolo Feb 2016 |
 Cortez Damselfish (juvenile) Jaqueta de Cortés Stegastes rectifaenum Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Cortez Damselfish Jaqueta de Cortés Stegastes rectifaenum Isla Danzante Feb 2019 |
 Mexican Barnacle Blenny Tubícola Mexicano Acanthemblemaria macrospilus Isla San Francisco 28 Feb 2019 |
 Giant Damselfish (juvenile) Jaqueta Gigante Microspathodon dorsalis Isla Danzante Feb 2019 |
 Giant Damselfish Jaqueta Gigante Microspathodon dorsalis Isla Coronados Mar 2016 |
 Giant Damselfish (breeding male) Jaqueta Gigante Microspathodon dorsalis Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 |
 Tinsel Squirrelfish Candil Sol Sargocentron suborbitalis Isla San Francisco Feb 2016 |
 Kelp Bass Cabrilla Sargacera Paralabrax clathratus Santa Cruz I Oct 2015 |
 Yellowtail Surgeonfish (juvenile) Cochinito Punteado Prionurus punctatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Yellowtail Surgeonfish Cochinito Punteado Prionurus punctatus Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Moorish Idol Idolo Moro Zanclus cornutus Isla San Francisco Jan 2016 |
 Blue and Gold Snapper Pargo Azul-Dorado Lutjanus viridus Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Reef Cornetfish Corneta Pintada Fistularia commersonii Los Frailes Dec 2015 |
 Convict Surgeonfish Cirujano Reo Acanthurus triostegus Los Frailes Dec 2015 |
 Mexican Hogfish (juvenile) Vieja Mexicana Bodianus diplotaenia Bahía San Pedro Dec 2018 |
 Mexican Hogfish (initial phase) Vieja Mexicana Bodianus diplotaenia Isla Danzante Feb 2015 |
 Mexican Hogfish (young terminal phase) Vieja Mexicana Bodianus diplotaenia Calete El Candelero Dec 2015 |
 Mexican Hogfish (terminal phase) Vieja Mexicana Bodianus diplotaenia Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Wounded Wrasse (terminal phase) Señorita Herida Halichoeres chierchiae Calete El Candelero Dec 2015 |
 Wounded Wrasse (initial phase) Señorita Herida Halichoeres chierchiae Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 |
 Cortez Rainbow Wrasse (initial phase) Arcoiris de Cortés Thalassoma lucasanum Ensenada el Embudo Jan 2016 |
 Cortez Rainbow Wrasse Arcoiris de Cortés Thalassoma lucasanum Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Sunset Wrasse Señorita Crepúsculo Thalassoma grammaticum Los Frailes Dec 2015 |
 Guineafowl Puffer (spotted phase) Botete Aletas Punteadas Arothron meleagris Los Frailes Dec 2015 |
 Guineafowl Puffer (juvenile) Botete Aletas Punteadas Arothron meleagris Mangle Solo 29 Mar 2019 |
 Guineafowl Puffer (unusual maze phase) Botete Aletas Punteadas Arothron meleagris Ensenada Grande 01 March 2019 |
 Guineafowl Puffer (intermediate phase) Botete Aletas Punteadas Arothron meleagris Ensenada Grande Jan 2016 |
 Guineafowl Puffer (yellow phase) Botete Aletas Punteadas Arothron meleagris Ensenada el Embudo Jan 2016 |
 Bluechin Parrotfish (initial phase) Loro Barbazul Scarus ghobban Isla Danzante Mar 2016 |
 Bluechin Parrotfish Loro Barbazul Scarus ghobban Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Skate (Ray) Eggs (unsure) Caleta Partida Jan 2016 |
 Shellless Snail Caleta San Juanico Mar 2018 |
 Stone Scorpionfish Escorpión Roquero Scorpaena mystes Caleta Partida Dec 2015 |
 Stone Scorpionfish Escorpión Roquero Scorpaena mystes San Evaristo Jan 2016 |
 Stone Scorpionfish Escorpión Roquero Scorpaena mystes Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Threebanded Butterflyfish Mariposa Muñeca Chaetodon humeralis Calete El Candelero Dec 2015 |
 Soft Corals Ensenada Grande Jan 2016 |
 Buffalo head coral :) Ensenada Grande Dec 2015 |
 Panamic Sergeant Major Petaca Banderita Abudefduf troschelii Calete El Candelero Dec 2015 |
 Mexican Night Sergeant Petaca Mexicana Abudefduf declivifrons Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Crab Ensenada Grande Dec 2015 |
 Nudibranch Glossodoris sedna Ensenada Grande Jan 2016 |
 Nudibranch Glossodoris sedna Caleta Partida Jan 2016 |
 Spottail Grunt Burro Rasposo Haemulon maculicauda Isla San Francisco Jan 2016 |
 Christmastree Worm Isla San Francisco Jan 2016 |
 Goldrim Surgeonfish Cirujano Cariblanco Acanthurus nigricans Rocas Tintorera 28 Feb 2019 |
 Mexican Goatfish Chivo Barbón Mulloidichthys dentatus Isla San Francisco Jan 2016 |
 Jellyfish Isla San Francisco Jan 2016 |
 Jellyfish (disk 5-10 mm dia) Playa Bonanza Jan 2016 |
 Tribbles (...ok - Urchins) Playa Bonanza Jan 2016 |
 Zooplankton (approx 3mm long) Punta Salinas Jan 2016 |
 Featherduster Worm (unsure) San Evaristo Jan 2016 |
 Tube Blenny (unsure) Caleta Partida Jan 2016 |
 Octopus San Evaristo Jan 2016 |
 Barred Pargo (intermediate) Pargo Coconaco Hoplopagrus guentherii Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Barred Pargo Pargo Coconaco Hoplopagrus guentherii Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Barred Pargo Pargo Coconaco Hoplopagrus guentherii Isla Danzante Feb 2019 |
 Pencil Urchin San Evaristo Jan 2016 |
 Amarillo Snapper (juvenile) Pargo Amarillo Lutjanus argentiventris Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Burrito Grunt Burro Bacoco Anisotremus interruptus Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Mojarra Grunt Burro Pecoso Haemulon scudderii Ensenada de la Raza 02 Mar 2019 |
 Blenny (unsure) San Evaristo Jan 2016 |
 Scissortail Chromis Castañeta Cola de Tijera Chromis atrilobata Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Orangeside Triggerfish Cochito Naranja Sufflamen verres Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Flag Cabrilla Cabrilla Piedrera Epinephelus labriformis Los Islotes 17 Mar 2019 |
 Panamic Fanged Blenny (juvenile) Borracho Mono Ophioblennius steindachneri Ensenada el Embudo Jan 2016 |
 Panamic Fanged Blenny Borracho Mono Ophioblennius steindachneri Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Graybar Grunt Burro Almejero Haemulon sexfasciatum Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Cortez Angelfish Angel de Cortés Pomacanthus zonipectus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 California Sealion Lobo-marino Californiano Zalophus californianus Los Islotes Jan 2016 |
 Barberfish Mariposa Barbero Johnrandallia nigrirostris Ensenada de la Raza 02 Mar 2019 |
 Needlefish Agujas Belonidae sp. Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Yellowfin Surgeonfish (juvenile) Cirujano Aleta Amarilla Acanthurus xanthopterus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Yellowfin Surgeonfish Cirujano Aleta Amarilla Acanthurus xanthopterus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Rainbow Chub Chopa Salema Sectator ocyurus Caleta Partida Jan 2016 |
 Leopard Grouper Cabrilla Sardinera Mycteroperca rosacea Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Leopard Grouper (Golden variation) Cabrilla Sardinera Mycteroperca rosacea Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Spotted Sand Bass (marking phase) Cabrilla de Roca Paralabrax maculatofasciatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Spotted Sand Bass (adult) Cabrilla de Roca Paralabrax maculatofasciatus Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Wrasse (unsure) Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Octopus in burrow Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
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 Octopus Punta Mangles Apr 2016 |
 Seaweed Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Round Stingray Ray Redonda Común Urobatis halleri Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Bullseye Puffer Botete Diana Sphoeroides annulatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Beaubrummel (juvenile) Jaqueta de Dos Colores Stegastes flavilatus Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Pacific Dog Snapper Pargo Prieto Lutjanus novenfasciatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Pacific Mutton Hamlet Guaseta del Pacifico Alphestes immaculatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Flag Cabrilla (unsure) Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Sea Cucumber Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Spotfin Burrfish Pez Erizo Enano Chilomycterus reticulatus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Crab in burrow Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Barred Porcupinefish Pez Erizo Mapache Diodon holocanthus Caleta el Candelero Dec 2015 |
 Barred Porcupinefish (with yellow splotch; several similar seen) Pez Erizo Mapache Diodon holocanthus Ensenada de la Raza Feb 2016 |
 Panamic Green Moray Morena Verde Panámica Gymnothorax castaneus Ensenada Grande Jan 2016 |
 Panamic Green Moray Morena Verde Panámica Gymnothorax castaneus Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Chameleon Wrasse (terminal phase and initial phase (lower left)) Señorita Camaleón Halichoeres dispilus Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Largemouth Blenny Chalapo Labrisomus xanti Punta Pulpito 14 Mar 2018 |
 Largemouth Blenny Chalapo Labrisomus xanti Mangle Solo 30 Mar 2019 |
 Banded Wrasse Señorita Listada Halichoeres notospilus Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Banded Wrasse (initial phase) Señorita Listada Halichoeres notospilus Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Barred Serrano (solid stripe (can change colour to paired bars)) Serrano Guaseta Serranus psittacinus Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Barred Serrano (paired bars (can change colour to solid stripe)) Serrano Guaseta Serranus psittacinus Timbabiche Feb 2016 |
 Jack of some kind? (est 30cm long) Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Seaslug Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Hermit Crab Mangle Solo Feb 2016 |
 Diamond Stingray Ray Latigo Diamonte Dasyatis dipterura Punta Pulpito 13 Mar 2018 |
 Zebra Moray Morena Cebra Gymnomuraena zebra Isla San Francisco 14 Mar 2019 |
 Blue and Yellow Chromis Castañeta Mexicana Chromis limbaughi Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Stripebelly Puffer (said to be absent Gulf of California) Botete Panza Rayada Arothron hispidus Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Stripebelly Puffer (uncertain) Botete Panza Rayada Arothron hispidus Punta Mangles Apr 2016 |
 Spotted Porcupinefish Pez Erizo Pecoso Diodon hystrix Bahía Marquer Mar 2016 |
 Grunt? (unknown) Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Lizard Triplefin Blenny Lagartija Tres Aletas Crocodilichthys gracilis Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Browncheek Blenny Tubicola Plumoso Cirriemblemaria lucasana Isla Danzante Feb 2016 |
 Finescale Triggerfish Cochi Balistes polylepsis Mangle Solo 31 Mar 2019 |
 Redside Blenny Trambollo Rojo Malacoctenus hubbsi Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Blenny (Clubhead Barnacle?) Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Carmine Triplefin Blenny Tres Aletas Listado Axoclinus carminalis Agua Verde Mar 2016 |
 Giant Hawkfish (juvenile) Chino Mero Cirrhitus rivulatus Punta Mangles Apr 2016 |
 Giant Hawkfish (intermediate) Chino Mero Cirrhitus rivulatus Puerto Los Gatos 2 Apr 2019 |
 Giant Hawkfish Chino Mero Cirrhitus rivulatus Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Green Jack Jurel Bonito Caranx caballus Punta Colorada Mar 2016 |
 Crab Punta Colorada Mar 2016 |
 Longtail Stingray Ray Latigo Largo Dasyatis longa Bahía Maquer Mar 2016 |
 Lobster Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 |
 Blue-bronze Chub Chopa Rayada Kyphosus analogus Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 |
 Blue-bronze Chub (spotted phase) Chopa Rayada Kyphosus analogus Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 |
 Azure Parrotfish Loro Chato Scarus compressus Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 |
 Azure Parrotfish (initial phase) Loro Chato Scarus compressus Rocas Tintorera 28 Feb 2019 |
![Azure Parrotfish (initial phase [left] and near-terminal phase)](azure_parrotfish_it_GOPR8737.jpg) Azure Parrotfish (initial phase [left] and near-terminal phase) Loro Chato Scarus compressus Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Spotted Eagle Ray Chucho Pintado Aetobatus narinari Puerto Los Gatos Feb 2019 |
 Turtle Puerto Los Gatos Feb 2019 |
 Turtle Mangle Solo 01 Apr 2019 |
 Turtle (being cleaned) Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Jawfish (unknown) Puerto Ballandra Mar 2016 resembles Galapagos Jawfish (absent Gulf of Calif) |
 Sabertooth Blenny Diente Sable Plagiotremus azaleus Mangle Solo 01 Apr 2019 |
 Palenose Moray Morena Pecosa Echidna nocturna Isla Coronados Mar 2016 |
 Fishgod Blenny (female) Trambollo Dorado Malacoctenus ebisui Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Mexican Jawfish (or Finespotted) Bocón Mexicano Opistoganthus mexicanus Isla Coronados Mar 2016 |
 Jawfish (uncertain species) Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Mullet (uncertain type) Isla Coronados Mar 2016 |
 Striped Mullet Lisa Rayada Mugil cephalus Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Spinster Wrasse (juvenile) Señorita Solterona Halichoeres nicholsi Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Spinster Wrasse (initial phase) Señorita Solterona Halichoeres nicholsi Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Spinster Wrasse (terminal phase) Señorita Solterona Halichoeres nicholsi Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 |
 Nudibranch Hypselodoris ghiselini Caleta San Juanico Apr 2016 |
 Pacific Spotfin Mojarra (north of usual habitat) Mojarra Manchita Eucinostomus dowii Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Sargassum Blenny Trombollo Sargacero Exerpes asper Isla Requesón Mar 2018 |
 Pacific Leopard Flounder Lenguado Leopardo Bothus leopardinus Bahía Santo Domingo Apr 2018 |
 Tiger Snake Eel Tieso Tigre Myrichthys tigrinus Bahía Santo Domingo Apr 2018 |
 Throatspotted Blenny (maybe) Trambollo Pintado Malacoctenus tetranemus Bahía Santo Domingo Apr 2018 male |
 Flag Triplefin Blenny Tres Aletas Bandera Enneanectes reticulatus Bahía San Francisquito 21 Dec 2018 |
 Nudibranch Hypselodoris sp? Bahía San Francisquito 21 Dec 2018 |
 Argus Moray Morena Argos Muraena argus Bahía San Francisquito 22 Dec 2018 |
 California Butterfly Ray Ray Mariposa Gymnura marmorata Punta Trinidad 23 Dec 2018 |
 Jacksmelt Atherinopsis califoriensis Bahía San Francisquito Dec 2018 |
 Banded Lizardfish Bahía Salinas Feb 2019 |
 Cortez Garden Eel Congrio de Cortés Heteroconger digueti Isla San Francisco 26 Feb 2019 |
 Loosetooth Parrotfish (initial phase) Pococho Beriquete Nicholsina denticulata Ensenada de la Raza 01 March 2019 |
 Chinese Trumpetfish Trompeta China Aulostomus chinensis Isla San Francisco 14 Mar 2019 |
 Bicolor Parrotfish (initial phase) Loro Bicolor Scarus rubroviolaceus Los Islotes 17 Mar 2019 |
 Bicolor Parrotfish (terminal phase) Loro Bicolor Scarus rubroviolaceus Los Islotes 17 Mar 2019 |
 Jewel Moray Morena Pinta Muraena lentiginosa Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Whale Shark Tiburón Ballena Rhincodon typus La Paz Magote 20 Mar 2019 |
 Starry Moray (aka Snowflake Moray) Morena Estrellada Echidna nebulosa Mangle Solo 31 Mar 2019 |
 Rockmover Wrasse (juvenile) Cuchillo Dragón Novaculichthys taeniourus Mangle Solo 31 Mar 2019 very shy-sorry for photo quality |
 Scrawled Filefish (blue marking phase) Lija Trompa Aluterus scriptus Isla Isabel 19 Feb 2020 |
 Blunthead Triggerfish Cochito Bota Pseudobalistes naufragium Isla Isabel 19 Feb 2020 |
Blunthead Triggerfish Cochito Bota Pseudobalistes naufragium Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Bigeye Trevally (aka Bigeye Jack) Jurel Voraz Caranx sexfasciatus Isla Isabel 19 Feb 2020 |
 Zooplankton (about 4mm long) Isla Isabel 19 Feb 2020 |
 Bumphead Parrotfish Loro Jorobado Scarus perrico Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 |
 Eggs (jelly-like mesh) Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 unsure |
 Pacific Crevalle Jack Jurel Toro Caranx caninus Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 |
 Redshoulder Wrasse Vieja Mancha Roja Stethojulis bandanensis Isla Isabel 20 Feb 2020 |
 Golden Cownose Ray Gavilán Dorado Rhinoptera steindachneri Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
 Halfmoon Chub Chopa Medialuna Medialuna californiensis Isla Isabel 15 Jan 2020 |
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S/V Hoku Pa'a 1000 DeCosta Pl. Victoria, BC Canada V9A 6Y3 |
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