Fish Identification Photos: Barred Pargo, Mexican Barred Pargo, Mexican Barred Snapper, Hoplopagrus guentheri: The Barred Pargo is a rather easy fish to identify with its all-brown head and about six alternating wide and narrow white bars running down its side. The Barred Pargo's bars are quite pronounced upon collection but fade quickly over time, as illustrated in the photos below.

The Barred Pargo is a member of the Lutjanidea or Snapper Family, generally known in Mexico as "pargos." It is the sole Hoplopargus species found in Mexican waters with the other snappers being of the Lutjanus genus.

In Mexico, the Barred Pargo has been observed on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula south of Magdalena Bay, on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja California peninsula south from Santa Rosalia, and along the Pacific mainland coast from Guaymas to Guatemala. The Barred Pargo grows to three feet in length but actually catching one this size is virtually an impossible feat since the species is becoming rare and it prefers depths of up to 100 feet “in the rocks with caves.” Getting them out of the rocks or caves is a major undertaking requiring a great deal of strength and luck.

The Barred Pargo normally feeds on crustaceans and small schooling fish such as grunts and sergeant majors. The Barred Pargo is also targeted by spear fisherman because it hides in caves during the daytime and thus is a captive. The Barred Pargo is viewed as a good eating fish.

Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Size, 13 inches and 2 pounds. Photo courtesy of John Snow. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos), Baja California Sur, Mexico, in 85-degree water, midday, in September 2003, in 150-foot deep water, utilizing a 30-pound test, 40-pound two dropper loop rig, with swivel, 8-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size 2/0, on a live sardina, 25 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 18 inches and 4 pounds. The Barred Pargo lives primarily in rocky coral ridden structures and to get them headed “up” is a major chore which requires a great deal of alertness and a quick “tug of water” or the fish is lost. Viewed by locals as excellent table fare. Note: when first out of the water the Barred Pargo has a distinct pattern of bars which quickly fade into the coloration of the second fish pictured. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow. Caught at La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Photo courtesy Larry Cornwall. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Photo courtesy Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas. Barred Pargo, Hoplopagrus guentheri: Photo courtesy Trout Traubman.