Totoaba
The largest drum fish, native to the Gulf of California and threatened by illegal trade.
The totoaba is a large marine fish found only in the Gulf of California. It is critically endangered due to overfishing for its swim bladder and habitat loss from river dams.
- Largest species in the drum family, reaching 2m and 135kg.
- Endemic to the Gulf of California in Mexico.
- Swim bladder trade drives illegal poaching.
- Colorado River dams destroyed key spawning habitats.
- Illegal nets threaten the critically endangered vaquita.
What it is
The totoaba is a large saltwater fish belonging to the drum family. It holds the record for size within its group, reaching lengths of two metres and weights near one hundred thirty-five kilograms. Adults display a silvery body with darker fins and a pale underside. Younger fish often show spots on their second dorsal fin. The species has an elongated shape with two separate dorsal fins and long pectoral fins located just behind the head. There are no visible physical differences between males and females.
Where it lives
This fish lives exclusively in the Gulf of California along the Mexican coast. Historical records suggest it once ranged further north into California during prehistoric times. Today, populations inhabit areas from the northern gulf down to regions near La Paz and Mármol. They prefer soft sandy bottoms in coastal zones but can also be found near rocky reefs. Depths typically range from one to seventy metres, with water temperatures between fifteen and twenty-nine degrees Celsius.
How it lives
These fish feed on various small fish and crustaceans like krill. Juveniles consume amphipods and small fry, while adults eat anchovies, mullet, and sardines. They live for up to twenty-five years but grow slowly. Sexual maturity arrives late, around six years for males and seven for females. This slow growth makes population recovery difficult. They spend time at the bottom of the sea floor, moving between different habitats as they age.
Breeding and life cycle
Adults migrate to the shallow, brackish waters of the Colorado River delta to spawn. Breeding occurs from January through May, peaking in spring. Females release eggs in batches rather than all at once. Larvae require specific salinity levels to survive, tolerating ranges between twenty and thirty-four parts per thousand. One-year-old juveniles thrive best in water with about twenty parts per thousand salinity, similar to conditions before modern damming altered the river flow.
Fish and people
Commercial fishing began in the nineteen twenties, leading to massive declines. By nineteen seventy-five, catches had dropped so low that Mexico banned the fishery. The swim bladder, known as maw, is highly prized in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine. This demand drives illegal poaching, as bladders sell for millions of dollars. Some farms now breed totoaba for food and release them into the wild to help restore numbers.
Status and threats
The totoaba is listed as vulnerable by conservation groups and endangered under US law. Habitat destruction from Colorado River dams reduced freshwater flow to the spawning delta, raising salinity levels. Illegal fishing for the swim bladder continues despite bans. These nets also kill the vaquita porpoise. Conservation efforts include farm releases and stricter border checks, though the wild population remains fragile and low.
Questions people ask about Totoaba
Why is the totoaba endangered?
The totoaba faces extinction due to intense overfishing for its swim bladder, which is sold for high prices in China. Additionally, dams on the Colorado River have blocked freshwater flow, destroying the brackish nursery habitats essential for juvenile survival.
What does the totoaba eat?
Adults primarily consume small fish such as anchovies, mullet, and sardines, along with crustaceans like krill. Juveniles feed on smaller organisms including amphipods and young fish, adapting their diet as they grow larger.
Where do totoaba spawn?
They migrate to the shallow, brackish waters of the Colorado River delta to breed. Spawning occurs between January and May, with peak activity in March and April. The larvae require specific salinity levels found in these modified estuarine environments.
How long does a totoaba live?
Totoaba are long-lived fish, potentially surviving for twenty to twenty-five years. However, they reach sexual maturity late, around six to seven years old, which slows their population growth and recovery rates significantly.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Totoaba", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Totoaba
All other fish
WorldBluefish
Aggressive marine pelagic fish found in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide.Other · Coasts and shelves
WorldCommon seahorse
A small, spotted seahorse found in Indo-Pacific coastal waters.Other · Estuaries and mangroves
WorldSpotted scat
A spotted, square-bodied fish from Indo-Pacific estuaries.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1766
🇵🇭 Philippines and 4 moreMilkfish
The sole living species of the family Chanidae, found across the Indo-Pacific.Other · Coasts and shelves
More from Sciaenidae
All of them
🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreFreshwater drum
A hardy North American freshwater fish known for its grunting sound.Other · Rivers and lakes
🇺🇸 United StatesSpotted seatrout
Estuarine drum fish of the US southeast coastOther · Estuaries and mangroves
North AmericaAtlantic croaker
Noisy marine fish of the western Atlantic coastOther · Coasts and shelves
🇿🇦 South Africa and 4 moreJapanese meagre
A large saltwater fish found across the Indo-Pacific region.Other · Coasts and shelves