Fish · La Saladita, Guerrero

Pacific Mutton Hamlet

Alphestes immaculatus

Spanish: Guaseta Pacífico

Pacific Mutton Hamlet (Alphestes immaculatus)
Photographed by zihuadean on iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC

Alphestes immaculatus, the Pacific mutton hamlet, is a species of sea bass found within the eastern Pacific from the northern Gulf of California to southern Peru, including the Galápagos Islands. It grows up to 30 cm (12 in), with a typical length of 18 cm (7.1 in). This demersal, non-migratory species inhabits seagrass and rocky reef areas in shallow waters, where it hides using its camouflaging coloration. It may also dig into sand to avoid detection. Most often recorded in Jan, Feb, Dec, Jul.

TaxonomyActinopterygii › Perciformes › Epinephelidae
Local records6 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records367 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2024 – 2026
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Fish guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Pacific Mutton Hamlet (Alphestes immaculatus) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/alphestes-immaculatus/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.