Riveiera Maya/Quintana roo

[PlaamooParticipant]

I’m headed here for a week next month and wondering if there is anything interesting fish-wise i should be looking for? Flying into Cancun and getting out ASAP. Renting a car and heading South to Tulum. Any ideas?

Thanks, Jim

[MattKeymaster]

You’ve got to be kidding me! Not jealous at all…

Presumably you’re heading down the coast via Playa del Carmen or will you go inland too? Loads of interesting stuff in that area like Hyphessobrycon compressus (type species of that genus), Cynodonichthys (ex-Rivulus) tenuis, Cyprinodon artifrons, Floridichthys polyommus, Jordanella pulchra, Belonesox belizanus, Heterandria bimaculata, Poecilia mexicana, P. velifera, Xiphophorus maculatus (wild platies!), various cichlids, etc.

[PlaamooParticipant]

Plan isn’t complete Matt, rarely is. I like to wing it as much as possible but it’s high season and my wife doesn’t like sleeping in the car :). Smaller, quieter places suit us better. Yes heading down the coast, planned to stop in Akumal but not finding accommodation available yet. Plenty in Tulum so will likely base there. Hope to hit Chichen itza for a day. Have you been? Any suggestions??

[PlaamooParticipant]

Took a swim in the Grand Cenote just outside of Tulum today and found a few nice fish. No idea what they are and no time for searching. Pics are disappointing, I haven’t used the underwater outfit for a few years. There was also a beautiful cichlid that I didn’t get a decent shot of but do have a glimpse on video that I’ll upload when I can.

These were stunning. Lots pf breeding activity and vicious algae munching!

[PlaamooParticipant]

[BillTParticipant]

Underwater shots, look nice!

Do you have a box a camera goes in or a submersible camera?

[ShovelnoseParticipant]

Me thinks the catfish is Rhamdia laticauda.

[MattKeymaster]

Great pics Jim! The molly might be Poecilia orri?

[PlaamooParticipant]

Thanks Matt & Shovelnose! Bill I’m using a Canon S95 and the housing that’s made for it.

[PlaamooParticipant]

Took A walk through the jungle at the Muyil ruins today and the Sian ka’an Biosphere. First came upon this little pothole and was amazed at the inhabitants. No way to catch & photo here so I stuck the camera in and took some shots. Stills not as good as video.

http://youtu.be/tdVLJlkiTFc

[PlaamooParticipant]

These are from Gran Cenote.

http://youtu.be/dVmzLhsstmQ

http://youtu.be/N-nPOOsSkNg

[MattKeymaster]

Lovely videos Jim! Especially enjoyed the little pothole biotope but it all looks amazing. Wonder if that Trachemys turtle is native or not?

[PlaamooParticipant]

@matt said:
 Wonder if that Trachemys turtle is native or not?

I think so Matt. According to someone on the ichthyology facebook page Trachemys venusta. Also got ids for some fish.

Astyanax aeneus

Heterandria bimaculata

And from Pete Liptrot:  “The cichlids look like Rocio (the dark ones), Parachromis friedrichstahlii and a single A. robertsoni (very blue in appearance).”

I have lots of pics but haven’t had time to download to photobucket and then here.

[PlaamooParticipant]

Aves de Mexico

[PlaamooParticipant]

Tropical Mockingbird – Mimus gilvus

Yucatan Jay – Cyanocorax yucatanicus

Other critters;

[Author]

Posts