Fish Identification Photos: Eastern Pacific Flagfin, Aulopus bajacali: The Eastern Pacific Flagfin is characterized by its slender compressed body, single dorsal fin located near mid-body, originating just posterior to the insertion of the pectoral fin, a predominant adipose fin above the anal fin, pelvic fins placed under the origin of the dorsal fin, and very large, dominant eyes. Due its extreme rarity the Eastern Pacific Flagfin is a very difficult fish to identify without professional help! Possibly confused with the Banded Lizardfish, Synodus lacertinus.

The Eastern Pacific Flagfin was only published in the literature in 1984 in an obsure Russian Journal, and finally in an English language journal, Icthylogical Research, in 1998. We find the species assignment of "bajacali" to be most interesting and in our experience totally unique. The global distribution of this species in abundance is confined to a 50-mile radius from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico (latitudes 23ºN to 25ºN), with one-time collections made at Alijos Rocks, setting its westerly boundary at 115º54'W, and at the Uncle Sam Bank, setting its northerly boundary at 24º44'N. The Eastern Pacific Flagfin has also been reported in the Galapagos Islands and off the coast of Ecuador with the southern boundary being 3º32'S.

The literature reports that the Eastern Pacific Flagfin reaches a maximum of 10 inches in length, and is found in waters from 250 to 700 feet deep, with muddy, sandy bottoms. Having said that, we note that both the Eastern Pacific Flagfin catch mentioned above at the Alijos Rocks, as well as the catch presented below made in 100-foot deep water, both presumably came on rocky structure.

We are not aware of any species similar to the Eastern Pacific Flagfin in Mexican waters other than the distant Lizardfishes which include the Banded Lizardfish, Synodus lacertinus; the Iguana Lizardfish, Synodus sechurae; and the Sharpnose Lizardfish, Synodus evermanni. These are similar in size to the Eastern Pacific Flagfin, and also have slender compressed bodies, but their dorsal and adipose fins originate further aft.

The actual number of Eastern Pacific Flagfin that occur in the greater Los Cabos area of Baja California, Mexico, is difficult to determine. Other than the report below and what appears in the scientific literature, we are not aware of any other reports for this species.

Eastern Pacific Flagfin, Aulopus bajacali: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, at La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in 73-degree water, early morning in May 2003, in 100-foot deep water, utilizing a Sabiki Rig with size #4 hooks, on the Inner Gordo Bank, 10 miles north of La Playita. Three identical fish of approximately 5 inches were caught on one drop. A very rare catch which was first reported in the scientific literature in 1984! —Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Fish identification courtesy of Dr. Ross Robertson, The Smithsonian Institute, Panama.