FISH NOMENCLATURE

FISH NAME CONFUSION. In Mexico very rarely is any fish known by only a single name. There are inevitable local and regional variations, and for our purposes, two languages to sort out, each with its own peculiarities. For example, the prized gamefish “Dorado, Dolphinfish, Mahi-Mahi, Coryphaena hippurus” is always called a “Dorado” in Mexico, but in the United States it is usually referred to as a “Dolphin”, “Dolphinfish”, or “Mahi-Mahi.” The classic joke in Mexico is that if you walk down the beach and approach five different groups of anglers who have all caught the same species of fish, and you ask each of them for the species name, you will go home with five different names. The local Spanish names are obtained from local fishermen and can have as many as four different local variations. For example, a local fisherman might refer to the Goldeneye Tilefish, Caulolatilus affinis, as Conejo, Molahino, Pierna, and Blanco Pierna.

The Goldeneye Tilefish, Caulolatilus affinis, known in Mexico as Conejo, Molahino, Pierna, and Pierna Blanco.

In some cases even the “experts”, i.e., marine biologists, can’t agree on what a fish should be called, and with continuing research, fish are now being reclassified and given new scientific names. Dr. Phil Hastings told me – “historically there were 20 known trout, today with DNA there are more than 200.”  My friend Dr. Ben Victor, for example is running DNA every day on any fish he can get his hands on.  His work and findings are most impressive. 

The names presented within this website include the common names in English, the scientific name in English (genus and species), and the common in Spanish. With a very few exceptions that are taken from “Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 7th edition”, published by the American Fisheries Society, April 2013.  Note:  there is a rumor out there that the 8th edition was recently published but I have not been able to locate it.