Flora & fauna pictures and identification for species observed in Baja California and mainland Mexico fishing waters

Here's a motley collection of photos showing all kinds of living things observed in Mexico's sportfishing vacation waters by the readers of this website. Represented here are birds, corals and sea fans, crabs, crustaceans, mammals, sea stars, shells, squids and octopi, urchins and sea cucumbers, and a miscellaneous category listing such things as scorpions, giant kelp, and sea worms.

NOTE: Do you have an interesting photo of a new fish species, or other interesting plant, animal, or natural phenomenon observed in Mexican waters? If you would like to submit it for this section, please contact us.

The submitted photos found on these pages are a valuable resource for anglers and vacationers traveling in Mexican resort areas in Baja California and on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of mainland Mexico. They will help in species identification of many beach observations and with things that may be seen in the water while fishing from a boat.

Game fish and other fish species that may be observed or caught while fishing in Mexico are not listed on this page, but can be found on our very extensive fish picture page.

Common English flora and fauna names are linked in blue to their respective photo and species information pages.

Spanish names as used in Mexico, or in some cases, literal translations of the English where no Spanish name is known, are shown in green.

Scientific (Latin), names are shown in red italic.

PHOTOS OF MARINE LIFE, FLORA & FAUNA OBSERVED IN BAJA CALIFORNIA
AND OTHER COASTAL MEXICAN FISHING AREAS:

BIRDS:

Aleutian Canadian Goose, Ganso Canadiense, Branta canadensis leucopareia.
American Avocet, Piqocurvo, Alcaraván Americano, Recurvirostra americana.
American Kestrel, Cernícalo Chitero, Falcon sparverius.
Black Necked Stilt, Candelero Americano, Cachiporra, Cuellinegra, Monjita, Himantopus mexicanus.
Blue Footed Booby, Bobo, Piquero Patas Azul, Sula nebouxii.
Brown Booby, White Bellied Booby, Boba Prieta, Bubi Chaleco, Sula leucogaster.
Brown Pelican, Pelícano, Pelecanus occidentalis.
Common Moorhen, Marshhen, Common Gallinule, Pollo de Agua, Gallareta Frentiroja, Gallinula chloropus.
Crested Caracara, Mexican Eagle, Mexican Buzzard, Carancho, Caraira, Quelele, Totache, Caracara plancus.
Double-Crested Cormorant, Cormorán Orejudo, Cormorán Bicrestado, Corúa de Mar, Phalacrocorax auritus.
Frigate, Man-O’-War, Magnificent Frigate, Tijereta, Rabihorcado Magnifico, Fregata magnificens.
Gila Woodpecker, Carpintero de Gila, Carpintero del Desierto, Melanerpes uropygalis.
Gilded Flicker, Carpintero Aliamarillo, Carpintero de Alas Amarillas, Colaptes chrysoides.
Great Egret, Great White Egret, Garza Blanca, Ardea alba.
Greater White-Fronted Goose, White-Fronted Goose, Ansar Careto Grande, Anser albifrons.
Heermann’s Gull, Gaviota de Heermann, Larus herrmanni.
Hooded Oriole, Jaranjero, Icterus cucullatus.
Little Blue Heron, Garceta Azul, Egretta caerulea, Florida caerulea.
Northern Cardinal, Cardenal Común, Cardinalis cardinalis.
Pyrrhuloxia, Gray Cardinal, Cardenal Desértico, Cardinalis sinuatus.
Osprey, Gavilán Pescador, Pandion haliaetus.
Reddish Egret, Garceta Rojiza, Egretta rufescens.
Redfooted Booby, Piquero Patas Rojo, Sula sula.
Scott’s Oriole, Calandria Tunera, Icterus parisorum.
Snowy Egret, Garceta Pie-Dorado, Garza Chusmita, Garza Nivea, Egretta thula.
Turkey Vulture, Turkey Buzzard, Zopilote Aura, Aura cabecirroja (Cathartes aura).
Verdin, Baloncillo, Párido del Desierto, Auriparus flaviceps.
Western Gull, Gaviota Occidental, Larus occidentalis.

CORALS AND SEA FANS:

Black Sea Fan, Negro Mar Abanico, Arbolitos del Mar, Antipathidae fiordensis.
Brown Sea Fan, Estrella Canalizar Arena, Pacifigorgia Sp.
Bumpy Orange Gorgonian, Baches Naranja Espinazo, Eugorgia aurantica.
Cauliflower Coral, Stony Coral, Colifor Coral, Pocillopora elegans.
Deep Water Sea Fan, Abanico Mar Profundo, Iciligorgia schrammi.
Orange Spiny Sea Rod, Naranja Espinazo Mar Varilla, Muricea elongata.
Red Gorgonian, Red Sea Fan, Gorgonea, Rojo Mar Abanico, Eugorgia daniana.
Red Sea Fan, Rojo Mar Abanico, Arbolitos del Mar, Gorgonia adamsi.
Red Sea Fan Sp., Rojo Mar Abanico, Pacifigorgia Sp.
Robust Gorgonian, Naranja Espinazo Mar Varilla, Muricea californica.
Staghorn Hydrocoral, Cuerno de Ciervo, Janaria mirabilis.
White Gorgonian (A), Gorgonian Blanca, Muricea Sp.
White Gorgonian (B), Gorgonian Blanca, Leptagorgia alba.
Yellow Sea Fan, Amarillo Mar Abanico, Pacifigorgia Sp.

CRABS:

Big Claw Purple Hermit Crab, Ermitaño Morado Boxeador, Ermitaño Gigante, Petrochirus californiensis.
Coldwater Mole Crab, Pacific Sand Crab, Muy-muy Limanche, Emerita analoga.
Cuata Swim Crab, Blue Swim Crab, Jaiba Cuata, Callinectes arcuatus.
"Elbow Crab," Cangrejo del Codo, Mesorhoea belli.
Flat Spider Crab, Cangrejo Araña, Herbstia camptacantha.
Gulf Ghost Crab, Cangrejo de Playa, Ocypode occidentalis.
Halloween Crab, Moon Crab, Mouthless Crab, Mexicano Cangrejo de Tierra, Gecarcinus quadratus.
Harbour Spider Crab, Anaña Porteña, Mithrax armatus.
Lumpy Claw Crab, Cangrejo Moro, Eriphia squamata.
“Mexican” Spider Crab, Mexicano Cangrejo Araña, Libinia mexicana.
Mole Crab Family (Hippidae).
Pacific Mole Crab, Cochito del Pacifico, Hippa pacifica.
Paco Box Crab, Cajeta Paco, Platymera gaudichaudii.
Panamic Arrow Crab, Spider Crab, Cangrejo Flecha, Stenorhynchus debilus.
Panamic Spider Crab, Cangrejo Anaña de Panama, Maiopsis panamensis.
Pelagic Red Crab, Tuna Crab, Lobster Krill, Langostilla, Langostino chileno, Pleuroncodes planipes.
Purple Shore Crab, Cangrejo Morado de Tierra, Hemigrapsus nudus.
"Purse Crab," (Unknown), Persephona subovata.
Red Rock Crab, Japanese Crab, Jaiba del Pacifico, Cancer productus.
Red Swim Crab, Black Point Sculling Crab, Jaiba Rojo, Cronius ruber.
Robust Swim Crab, Jaiba Robusta, Euphylax robustus.
Rough Swim Crab, Jaiba Áspera, Portunus asper.
Sally Lightfoot Crab, Abuete Negro, Grapsus grapsus.
Sand Swim Crab, Jaiba Arenera, Arenaeus mexicanus.
Shamed-Face Crab, Arrow Box Crab, Giant Box Crab, Cangrejo Cajeta Bola, Calappa convexa.
Shell Crab, Lowe’s Shell Crab, Congrejo Caracol, Hypoconcha lowei.
Small Arched Box Crab, Cajeta Bola Pequeña, Calappa saussurei.
Southern Kelp Crab, Cangrejo de Kelp del Sur, Taliepus nuttallii.
Spotted Box Crab, Cajeta Moteada, Hepatus lineatus.
Striated Mole Crab, Cochito Rayado, Hippa strigillata.
Walking Rock Crab, Cangrejo Roca Caminante, Aethra scutata.
Yellow Shore Crab, Cangrejo Amarillo de Tierra, Hemigrapsus oregonensis.

CRUSTACEANS:

Blue Spiny Lobster, Pinto Spiny Lobster, Langosta Azul, Caribe Langosta, Panulirus inflatus.
Coral Pistol Shrimp, Coral Snapping Shrimp, Camarón Chasqueadores, Camarón Chasqueadores.
Long Claw River Prawn, Fresh Water Shrimp, Chacal, Cauque Pinze Larga, Macrobrachium tenellum.
Long-Claw Squat Lobster, Langostino, Munida refulgens.
North Pacific Krill, Krill, Krill del Pacífico, Euphausia pacifica.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Pavo Galera, Hemisquilla ensigera.
Rock Slipper Lobster, Galapagos Slipper Lobster, Cigarro de Galápagos, Scyllarides astori.
Shrimp of unknown species, none, unknown species.
Spotted Bumblebee Shrimp, Cortez Barrel Shrimp, Camarrón Barril, Gnathophyllum panamense.
Striped Mantis Shrimp, Pavo Galera, Lysiosquilla panamica.
Target Shrimp, Camarón Blanco, Sicyonia penicillata.
Tiburon Mantis Shrimp, Tiburon Galera, Squilla tiburonensis.

MAMMALS:

California Gray Whale, Ballena Grise, Eschrichtius robustus.
California Sea Lion, Lobo, Lobo Marino de California, Zalophus californianus.
Elephant Seal, Northern Elephant Seal, Foca Elefante del Norte, Mirounga angustirostris.
Humpback Whale, Ballena Jorobada, Megaptera novaeangliaeca.
Orca, Killer Whale, Wolf of the Sea, Orca, Orcinus orca.
Vaquita Dolphin, Gulf of California Harbor Porpoise, Cochito, Vaquita, Phocoena sinus.

SEA STARS:

Banded Brittle Star, Alexander’s Brittle Star, Estrella Frágil Culbra, Ophiocoma alexandri.
Black Brittle Star, Black Spiny Brittle Star, Estrella Frágil Común, Ophiocoma echinata.
Bradley’s Sea Star, Pointed Sea Star, Estrella Bradley, Mithrodia bradleyi.
Channeled Sea Star, Estrella Canalizar Arena, Tethyaster canaliculatus.
Chocolate Chip Star, Estrella de Mar, Nidorellia armata.
Giant Black Brittle Star, Black Spiny Brittle Star, Estrella Frágil Común, Ophiocoma aethiops.
Gulf Sun Star, Common Sun Star, Estrella de Mar de Golfo, Heliaster kubiniji Xantus.
Keeled Starfish, Keeled Star, Estrella Canasta, Estrella de Mar, Asteropsis carinifera.
Luidia Columbia Sea-Star, Luidia Columbia Estrella de Mar, Luidia columbia.
Ochre Starfish, Purple Ochre Sea Star, Estrella de Mar, Estrella Espina, Pisaster ochraceous.
Panamic Cushion Star, Cortez Sea Starfish, Gulf Sea Star, Estrella de Mar, Pentaceraster cumingi.
Ringed Brittle Star, Estrella Frágil Anillado, Ophionereis annulata.
Spiny Basket Sea Star, Estrella Canasta, Astrocaneum spinosum.
Spiny Sand Star, Estrella Espinosa Arena, Astropecten armatus.
Spiny Star (A), Estrella de Mar (A), Estrella Espina (A), Paulia horrida.
Spiny Star (B), Estrella de Mar (B), Estrella Espina (B), Amphiaster insignis.
Star Net Basket Sea Star, Estrella Canasta, Astrodictyum panamense.
Sunflower Star, Sunflower Seastar, Estrella Girasol, Pycnopodia helianthoides.
Tan Starfish, Tan Sea Star, Estrella de Mar, Phataria unifascialis.
Yellow Spotted Star, Pyramid Sea-Star, Estrella Pirámide, Pharia pyramidata.

SHELLS:

Angled Olive Shell, Oliva Con Escritura, Caracol de Oliva, Oliva incressata.
Antillean Miter Shell, Caracolito, Mitra swainsonii.
Australian Cardita Shell, Thick Ribbed Cardita Shell, Caracol de Cardita Australiano, Cardita crassicostata.
Black Murex Shell, Radish Shell, Burnt Murex Shell, Múrice Negro, Caracol Chino Negro, Muricanthus nigritus.
Bubble Nutmeg Shell, Caracol, Trigonostoma bullatum.
Burnt Dove Shell, Caracolillo, Columbella fuscata.
Cabbage Murex Shell, Rose Cabbage Murex Shell, Murex Brassica Shell, Busano Repollo, Hexaplex brassica.
California Spiny Jewel Box Shell, Espinosa Joyero de California, Arcinella californica.
Callidinus Murex Shell, Caracol Repollo, Caracol Trompeta, Muricanthus callidinus.
Cantharus Panamicus Shell, Caracol, Cantharus panamicus.
Centrifugal Murex, Caracol Centrifugo, Pteropurpura centrifuga.
Centiquadrata Helmet Shell, Concha Centiquadrata, Cassis centiquadrata.
Checkered Limpet Shell, Strigate Limpet Shell, Damero Lapas, Lottia strigatella.
Chione Amathusia Clam Shell, Amathusia Venus Clam Shell, Concha Chione Amathusia, Chione amathusia.
Chocolate Clam, Chocolate, Mexican Chocolate Clam, Almeja Chocolata, Almeja Negra, Megapitaria squalida.
Coarctata Helmet Shell, Concha Coarctata, Cassis coarctata.
Coralline Shell, Concha Coralline, Morula ferruginosa.
Elenae Moon Shell, Caracol Lunar Estriado, Natica elenae.
Eye-Of-Judas Purpura Shell, Ojo de Judas, Thais planospira.
Fat Dove Shell, Caracolillo, Columbella major.
Ferguson’s Giant Cone Shell, Ferguson’s Cone, Ferguson’s Concha, Conus fergusoni.
Galapagos Helmet Cowry Shell, Thin Shelled Helmet Shell, Yelmo de Concha Delgada, Cassis tenuis.
Gates’ Goblet Shell, Caracolillo de Gates, Solenosteira gatesi.
Gauntlet Vase Shell, Turbinela manopla, Vasum caestus.
Giant Conch, Giant Eastern Pacific Conch, Carcol Burro, Strombus galeatus.
Grinning Tun, Tonel Gelasino, Malea ringens.
Jenner’s Cowry Shell, Ninguno Conocido, Jenneria pustulata.
Lewis’ Moon Shell, Caracol de Luna, Euspira lewisii.
Long-Spine Murex, Caracol Larga Espina, Caracol Alacran, Murex elenensis.
Maria’s Turret Shell, Torrecilia, Turritella mariana.
Maura False Limpet Shell, Caracol Falsas Lapas, Siphonaria maura.
Mexican Chiton, Mexican Onchidella, Chiton, Oncidella binneyi.
Mitella Limpet Shell, Caracol Lapas, Lottia mitella.
Nodule Cerith Shell, Pada con Nódulos, Cerithium uncinatum.
Olympia Oyster, Ostra Olimpia, Ostrea conchaphila.
Pacific Thorny Oyster, Ostrea Espinoso del Pacifico, El Concha Burro, Spondylus princeps.
Panama Harp Shell, Crenata de Harpa, Harpa crenata.
Panamic Fig Shell, Swollen Fig Shell, Caracol Higo, Ficus ventricosa.
Panamic Horse Conch, Churo Gigante, Pleuroploca princeps.
Paper Nautilus, Argonaut, Argonauta Común, Argonauta nouryi.
Pearl Oyster, La Paz Pearl Oyster, Black-Lipped Oyster, Calafia Pearl, Madreperla, Pinctada mazatlanica.
Pen Shell, Pen Shell Scallop, Hacha China, Pinna rugosa.
Polpast Olive Shell, Caracol de Oliva, Oliva polpasta.
Purple-Mouthed Purpura Shell, Caracol de Tinta, Caracol Púrpura, Plicopurpura pansa.
Purple Tuberculate, Tuberculate Purpura, Neorapana tuberculata.
Pustulose Ark Shell, Mule’s Hoof Shell, Pata de Mula, Concha Negra, Arca Negra, Piangua, Anadara tuberculosa.
Rainbow Lip Pearl Oyster, Wing Oyster, Pearl Oyster, Concha Nácar, Pteria sterna.
Recluz’s Moon Shell, Caracol de Luna Recluz, Polinices recluzianus.
Regular Cone Shell, Caracol Cono, Conus regularis.
Robust Carrier Shell, Cáscaras del Portador, Xenophora robusta.
Royal Murex, Churo Zambo, Hexaplex regius.
Scaled False Triton Shell, Falso Escala Triton, Phyllocoma scalariformis.
Silken Scallop Shell, Vieira Satinada, Pecten sericeus.
Slight Baby Ear Shell, Frail Ear Shell, Bull’s Eye Shell, Caracol Oreja del Bebé Ligero, Sinum debile.
Solander’s Trivia Shell, (no Spanish name), Trivia Solander.
Speckled Scallop Shell, Mexican Scallop, Catarina Scallop, Almeja Catarina Voladora, Argopecten circularis.
Speckled Cerith Shell, Pada Común, Cerithium maculosum.
Spindle Conch, Giant Spindle Shell, DuPetit’s Spindle, Tulipan Blanco, Fusinus depepetthouarsi.
Spindle Trivia Shell, Trivia Huso, Trivia fusca.
Strombina Marksi Shell, Caracol, Strombina marksi.
Tent Olive Shell, Oliva Veteada, Caracol de Oliva, Oliva porphyria.
Thais Speciosa Rock Shell, Caracol, Thais speciosa.
Tiger Turret Shell, White-Mouthed Screw Shell, Torrecilia, Turritella leucostoma.
Turreted Drill Shell, Busano Torrecilla, Calotrophon turritus.
Zeteki Murex, Caracol Chino Rosado, Muricopsis zeteki.

SQUIDS AND OCTOPI:

Hubbs’ Octopus, Pulpo de Hubbs, Octopus hubbsorum.
Humboldt Squid, Giant Squid, Giant Humboldt Squid, Calamar Gigante, Rojo Diablo, Dosidicus gigas.
Market Squid, California Market Squid, Calamar, Calamar Opalescente, Loligo opalescens.
Mexican Pygmy Octopus, Pacific Pygmy Octopus, Digueti’s Octopus, Pulpo Pigmeo Mexicano, Octopus digueti.
Transparent Squid of unknown species, none, unknown species.
Two-Spotted Octopus, Pulpo, Octopus bimanculatus.

URCHINS AND SEA CUCUMBERS:

Blunt End Sea Hare, Shoulder Blade Sea Hare, Dared Sea Hare, Vaquita del Mar, Dolabella auricularia.
Bottleneck Sea Cucumber, Serrote, Holothuria Cuello de Botella, Holothuria impatiens.
Brown Sea Cucumber, Beche-de-mer, Galapagos Sea Cucumber, Pepino de Mar, Isostichopus fuscus.
Brown Urchin, Brown Sea Urchin, Erizo Marrón, Tripneustes depressus.
Crowned Urchin, Coronado Sea Urchin, Del Erizo de Mar, Centrostephanus coronatus.
Cushion Sea Urchin, Crowned Sea Urchin, Erizos de Espinas Largas, Astropyga pulvinata.
Flower Sea Urchin, Erizo Florado, Toxopneustes roseus.
Keeled Heart Urchin, Erizo Quilla Corazón, Brissus latecarinatus.
Slate Pencil Urchin, Erizo Lapicero, Eucidaris thouarsii.
Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Sulfurado Pepine, Pepino de Mar, Selenkothuria lubrica.
Warty Sea Cucumber, Pepino de Mar, Parastichopus parvimensis.

OTHER:

Arizona Bark Scorpion, Arizona Corteza Escorpión, Centruroides exilicauda, Centruroides sculpturatus.
Black Sea Turtle, Pacific Green Sea Turtle, Tortuga Prieta, Tortuga Negra o Prieta, Chelonia agassizi.
Boa Kelp, Feather Boa Kelp, Feather Boa, Pluma Boa Alga, Alga Marrón, Egregia menziesii.
Common Fireworm, Orange Fireworm, El Gran Gusano de Fuego, Eurythoe complanata.
Flatworm, Pseudoceros, Pseudoceros sp.
Giant Kelp, Giant Bladder Kelp, Cachiyuyo, Macrocystis pyrifera.
Goose Barnacle, Goose-Necked Barnacle, Barnacle del Ganzo, Lepas anserifera.
Loggerhead Turtle, Tortuga, Caguama, Caretta caretta.
Mystery Species Page, Unidentified Fish, Flora, and Fauna.
Sea Mouse Species A, Ratón del Mar, Aphrodita Species A.
Sedna, Red-Tipped Sea Goddess, Babosa del Mar, Glossodoris sedna.
Striped Gooseneck Barnacle, Rayado Oca Percebe, Rayado Ganso Percebe, Conchoderma virgatum.
Virgulate Chiton, Striped Chiton, Chiton, Chiton virgulatus.
Zebra Worm, Banded Ribbon Worm, La Cebra Gusano, Baseodiscus mexicanus.

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