Other marine life
Yucatan Mosquitofish
Gambusia yucatana
IUCN status: Least concern
Tiny livebearers that shoal in the first metre of water at almost every cenote entrance, along with mollies (Poecilia spp.). Divers usually meet them while kitting up on the steps — they will pick at dead skin on your feet. Ecologically the base of the food web in the lit part of a cenote.
- Max size
- About 5-7cm
- Habitat
- Surface and shallow margins of cenotes across the Yucatan
Best places to dive with Yucatan Mosquitofish
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Cenotes (Riviera Maya)
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident and abundant year-round in the shallows. No seasonality; density varies with the individual cenote, not the calendar.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Unique Species to Look for in Yucatan Cenotes, Yucatan Today
- Meet the Hidden Fauna of Yucatan's Cenotes, Yucatan Dive Crew