Fishes of the Yucatan Peninsula

Whale Shark - Rhincodon typus

The Whale Shark is the largest species of fish and quite unlike the stereotypical shark image. It is quite docile and harmless to man. It feeds on plankton and other small marine creatures. It grows to a maximum length of 20 metres (60 ft).

Isla Holbox (pronounced HOLE-bosh) is one of the best places to see these gentle giants. From May through October, Whale Sharks gather in the waters off this island. July to September are the best months. They can be easily seen by going on one of the many boat trips available here. You can even snorkel in the water close to the sharks as long as you follow the rules.

Biological Profile of the Whale Shark from the Florida Museum of Natural History. ...link
"Yucatan haven's balancing act: Whale shark ecotourism" - article by Jim Tharpe, October 04, 2005. ...link
Yucatan Today has a nice article about the Whale Sharks of Isla Holbox. ...link
Keith Jones offers specialized tours to see the Whale Sharks in the Yucatan and elsewhere. ...link

Oceanic Fishes

Photo by Claudio Contreras Coob, Amigos de Isla Contoy

List of oceanic fishes
Identification chart for many reef fishes, (available on waterproof paper). ...link
Identification chart for some of the larger fishes with Spanish names. ...link
Photos of some common fish species with local names. ...link

Freshwater Fishes

Mojarrita - Cichlasoma urophtalmus
Yucatan Mosquitofish - Gambusia yucatana ...photo
Blind Eel - Ophisterno infernaleis (Endemic)
Guatemalan Chulin (Bagre, Catfish) - Rhamdia guatemalensis ...photo
Blind White Dama - Typhliasina pearsei (Endemic)

Other Marine Life

Thimble Jellyfish - Linuche unguiculata
They are the size and shape of brown thimbles and sometimes appear in large numbers beween January and June.
Queen Conch (El Caracol Rosado) - Strombus gigas
This is a protected species and it is illegal to buy, sell, eat or fish for it from May 1 - October 31

Spanish translation