Petén Lakes, Guatemala

Mayan Cichlid

Mayaheros urophthalmus

The Mayan cichlid is a hardy Central American cichlid now widespread in South Florida canals, marshes and the Everglades. It tolerates salt water and spreads through canals, bites small baits aggressively, and makes a fine panfish. In Mexico, the same species complex is the 'tenguayaca', a valued local food fish.

Tenguayaca (Bay Snook)

Petenia splendida

The big predatory cichlid of Tabasco, Chiapas, Petén and Belize — the local tenguayaca, a fish-eater with a spectacularly protrusible mouth, fished in green and pink-red forms in lakes and slow rivers.

Tropical Gar

Atractosteus tropicus

The tropical gar — the pejelagarto — is an air-breathing, armour-plated predator of the swamps from Tabasco to Costa Rica and Tabasco's most emblematic freshwater fish. Handle with care for its razor teeth — always with a glove or jaw grip.