Fish Identification Photos: Mexican Lookdown, Selene brevoortii: The Mexican Lookdown is one of the most exotic appearing species of the ocean and is a member of the Carangidae or Jack Family characterized by its pentagonally-shaped body that is very narrow, with a deep head that has a steep concave forehead-snout profile.

The Mexican Lookdown also has distinguishing long anal and dorsal fins and small pelvic fins. This species can be easily confused with the Mexican Moonfish, Selene orstedii (oblique forehead and long pelvic fins) and the Pacific Moonfish, Selene peruviana (short anal and dorsal fins and no pelvic fins).

The Mexican Lookdown is pelagic and found out at sea around the tip of the Baja California peninsula from Magdalena Bay to La Paz and on mainland Mexico south of Mazatlan. It is found in the first 150 feet of the water column over sandy bottoms. The Mexican Lookdown is reported to reach a length of 16 inches but due to its rarity is not deemed to be of much value other than as cut bait.

Mexican Lookdown, Selene brevoortii: Shows up when one purchases a “scoop of bait.” Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the spring months with water temperatures below 75-degrees, early morning in 5 to 10-foot water utilizing a cast net by panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 10 inches and virtually weightless. Viewed by locals to have limited value. Can be used as cut bait. Survives a panga “bait tank” at a high level. A very seldom seen species. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Mexican Lookdown, Selene brevoortii: Photo courtesy Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly. Mexican Lookdown, Selene brevoortii: Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.