Following the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, starting from the Campeche area, a rich coralline begins, which connects with the coralline bar of the Yucatan Peninsula, already in the Caribbean Sea. From there it continues along the Guatemalan coast, that of Belize, and continues until it reaches the Honduran coast. Being the second largest coral formation in the world, only surpassed by the great barrier reef of Australia.
Obviously, due to this great barrier reef that begins in the Mexican Caribbean area, there are countless marine species attracted by the large amounts of plankton and its numerous fish fauna of the paradisiacal place. In this article on our site, we will show you the most characteristic examples of the fauna of the Mexican Caribbean
1. The whale shark, a great devourer of plankton
The Whale Shark, Rhincodon typus, is the world's largest fish. Despite its enormous size, it is a harmless fish. They measure about 12 meters, and weigh about 15 tons. From May to September, groups of up to 400 individuals have been seen feeding near this Caribbean coast of Mexico.
two. The black-winged manta ray
The black-winged manta ray, Manta birostris, is another giant that feeds on plankton. This huge fish can measure over a 6m wingspan.
It so happens that, due to its enormous body, many parasites and fungi adhere to it. They take advantage of their stay in Caribbean waters so that small fish feed on the parasites attached to their bodies. They float inert so that the cleaner fish do their job.
3. The Bull Shark
The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, is a fearsome predator at the top of the food chain in those Caribbean waters. There are many other species of sharks, but the bull shark is the most representative among them. They can measure up to 3.5 m and weigh about 250 kg.
On many occasions this shark ascends the rivers, going up many kilometers inland. This rare quality among this shark species of being able to live indistinctly in marine, brackish and fresh water, is what currently causes this species to be in expansion, while the other species of sharks have serious problems due to overfishing. This unique quality is due to a gland near the kidney that allows it to stabilize the salinity of its body in any type of water.
4. Bull or sarda shark
This species of powerful shark is preponderant in Caribbean waters, although there is another shark also called bull in English, Carcharias taurus, whose existence is threatened. Its size is 2, 20 m, and its weight is 170 kg. This species is also known as tiburón sarda in Spanish. It is one of the most impressive animals of the Mexican Caribbean fauna.
5. The barracuda
The barracudas, Sphyraena barracuda, gather in large schools during the spawning season. Then they continue their lives alone, or in small banks. There are more than 20 species of barracuda.
They are very voracious fish whose largest specimens are close to 2 meters. The smaller specimens measure from 45 cm. They feed mainly on other fish, cephalopods and shrimp. They are inedible fish because they feed on poisonous fish (puffer fish, among others). They practice cannibalism with their young.
Barracudas, thanks to their acceleration speed that allows them to project against their prey at 90 km/hour, are relentless and very aggressive hunters. They don't hesitate to attack divers.
6. Sailfish
The sailfish, Istiophorus albicans, is probably the fastest swimming fish. Its speed has been measured, and it is estimated that can exceed 109 km/hour.
Unfortunately, due to excessive fishing, it is in danger of extinction. In the past it was not uncommon to fish specimens of up to 3 meters. In 1963 the average weight of the sailfish caught was 120 kg. But the specimens that are fished today, the largest specimens barely reach 40 kg.
It is calculated that it could cross the 50 meters of an Olympic swimming pool in 2 seconds. The world human record for swimming in 50 meters, is registered in 20, 91 seconds.
Image from fineartamerica.com:
7. Hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill turtle or Eretmochelys imbricata. This beautiful tortoise is Very Endangered. Fortunately, in Mexico there are conservation associations that watch over their reintroduction.
8. Green turtle
The green turtle or Chelonia mydas. It is a large sea turtle, which is also threatened. It is one of the most beautiful turtles of the Mexican Caribbean fauna.
9. Leatherback
The leatherback turtle or Dermochelys coriacea is probably one of the most popular turtles in the Mexican Caribbean fauna. This is the largest sea turtle. It can measure more than 2 meters and 600 kg of weight. Like the others, it is threatened.
10. Loggerhead Turtle
To put an end to the turtles we will talk about the loggerhead turtle also known as Caretta caretta. This sea turtle is distributed throughout all the seas and oceans of the planet. They measure 90 cm on average and weigh 135 kg, although there are much larger specimens that can reach up to 210 cm and weigh 545 kg. It is threatened.
Fortunately, Mexico has numerous environmental groups that are concerned with conserving the enormous we alth of its fauna. Both sea and land. We thank them for their work and encourage them to continue with more vigor and government support.
eleven. Royal Frigate
The royal frigatebird, Fregata magnificens, is a large marine bird that inhabits the Mexican Caribbean area. It measures 1 meter in length and 2.20 m in wingspan. It feeds on fish and other seabirds.
