Fish · La Saladita, Guerrero

Roosterfish

Nematistius pectoralis

Spanish: Pez gallo

Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis)
Photographed by vctrndr on iNaturalist

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. Most often recorded in Nov.

TaxonomyActinopterygii › Carangiformes › Nematistiidae
Local records1 research-grade observation within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records206 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2025 – 2025
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

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

Cite as: “Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/nematistius-pectoralis/, 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.