Species

They get their name from their spectacular dorsal fin that stretches nearly the length of their body and is much higher than their bodies are thick. They are members of the billfish family, and as such, have an upper jaw that juts out well beyond their lower jaw and forms a distinctive spear. Guatemala is one of the few countries that regulate this sport using circle hooks which does not damage the fish and decreases the mortality rate of sailfish.

The strikingly beautiful blue marlin is the largest of the Atlantic marlins and one of the biggest fish in the world. Females, which are significantly larger than males, can reach 14 feet (4.3 meters) in length and weigh more than 1,985 pounds (900 kilograms). Average sizes tend to be in the range of 11 feet (3.4 meters) and 200 to 400 pounds (91 to 181 kilograms).

The roosterfish is as popular for its fighting ability as it is photogenic. The trademark comb-like dorsal fin is it’s most unique trait, while the two dark blue bands along its sides add to its style points. Most roosterfish are in the 20-40 lb range, but roosterfish over 50 lbs are very common and are caught every month.

Yellowfin tuna are torpedo-shaped with dark metallic blue backs, yellow sides, and a silver belly. They have very long anal and dorsal fins and finlets that are bright yellow. Yellowfin can live up to six or seven years. They are highly migratory and are found throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The wahoo’s body is covered with small scales and is steel blue above and pale blue below. It has a series of 25 to 30 irregular blackish-blue vertical bars on the sides. The fish has a large mouth with strong, triangular, compressed and finely serrate teeth. Its snout is about as long as the rest of the head. The maximum reported size for wahoo is an IGFA World Record: 184 pounds (83.46 kg). Wahoo commonly attain sizes between 40 and 65 inches (101-165 cm) in length, with maximum size reaching 98 inches (249 cm).

Cero differ from the king mackerel and Spanish mackerel in having a pattern of both yellow spots, yellow orange streaks, and a dark color line running the length of the body, and a lateral line that gradually curves down toward the caudal peduncle. Cero reportedly attain a weight in excess of 22 lb (10 kg), but most caught are much smaller. They are considered to be excellent table fare.

The roosterfish, Nematistius pectoralis, is a game fish found in the warmer waters of the East Pacific from Baja California to Peru. It is the only species in the genus Nematistius and the family Nematistiidae.  It is distinguished by its «rooster comb», seven very long spines of the dorsal fin.

The roosterfish has an unusual arrangement of its ears: the swim bladder penetrates the brain through the large foramina and makes contact with the inner ear. It uses its swim bladder to amplify sounds.

Roosterfish can reach over 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) in length and over 50 kg (110 lb) in weight. The weight of the average fish hooked is about 20 lb (9.1 kg). The fish is popular as a game fish, but it is not considered a good eating fish. Catch and release is strongly recommended.