Cenotes are small bodies of water formed when underground caves collapse. They are common in the rocky Yucatan peninsula, and an important source of water for both humans and wildlife.

The Xlacah cenote at Dzibilchaltun in Yucatan, Mexico is home to three unique species of fish: Cichlasoma urophthalmus zebra, the Mayan cichlid or mojarra, Astyanax fasciatus altior, the Yucatan tetra and Poecilia velifera, the Yucatan molly. All three of these fish are endemic to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico...that is, they're not found anywhere else in the world. In fact, the Mayan cichlid is only found in Cenote Xlacah!

In the video below, you will see many Yucatan tetras (smaller fish with reddish fins and a dark spot by the tail) and two Mayan cichlids (larger fish with reddish stripes on the body and dark spots near the tail) swimming in Cenote Xlacah:
Video (39 seconds)

Related Links:
Bony fishes (Animal Diversity Web)
Endangered & threatened fish in Texas and the United States (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
Ray-finned fishes (Tree of Life Web Project)
Sharks, fishes & other fish-like creatures (DigiMorph)
Texas Fish (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

Back to Fish

Video: Priscilla Coulter, SFASU Library