By Maureen Stimola Last updated: February 19, 2024

Fishes in Spanish: How to Say 50 Types of Fish [With Audio]

No matter where you travel in the Spanish-speaking world, you’re guaranteed to come across fish in some way or another.

Even if you never spot a fish or body of water, you’re bound to eventually come across Spanish idioms, expressions, songs and stories that invoke the various names of common fish.

That’s why it behooves any learner to pick up the Spanish names for fish that have a presence in our lives, environments and cuisines!

Keep reading for 50 names for fishes in Spanish, plus some key terms and phrases for talking about fish—whether you’re admiring them in the wild or on your plate.

Contents

• 1. La Anchoa — Anchovy
• 2. La Sardina — Sardine
• 3. Atún — Tuna
• 4. El Bacalao — Cod
• 5. La Trucha — Trout
• 6. El Salmón — Salmon
• 7. El Pez Espada — Swordfish
• 8. La Tilapia — Tilapia
• 9. La Corvina — Corvina
• 10. El/La Llampuga — Mahi-mahi
• 11. El Lenguado — Sole
• 12. La Perca — Perch
• 13. El Pargo Rojo — Red Snapper
• 14. La Serviola — Amberjack
• 15. La Carpa — Carp
• 16. La Cachama — Cachama
• 17. El Bagre — Catfish
• 18. El Piraña — Piranha
• 19. La Barracuda — Barracuda
• 20. La Platija — Flounder
• 21. La Merluza — Hake
• 22. El Mero — Grouper
• 23. El Pez Betta — Betta Fish/Siamese Fighting Fish
• 24. El Arenque — Herring
• 25. La Macarela — Mackerel
• 26. La Aguja Azul/Blanca  or El Marlín Azul/Blanco — Blue/White Marlin
• 27. El Rape — Monkfish
• 28. El Pez Vela — Sailfish
• 29. El Tiburón — Shark
• 30. El Pez Ángel — Angelfish
• 31. La Lubina / El Róbalo — Sea Bass
• 32. La Anguila — Eel
• 33. El Pez Globo — Pufferfish
• 34. La Llampuga Voladora — Flying Fish
• 35. La Raya — Ray, Skate
• 36. El Pez Sierra — Sawfish
• 37. La Chopa — Sea Bream
• 38. El Pez Cardenal  / El Tetra Cardenal — Cardinal Tetra
• 39. El Róbalo Blanco — Sea Robin
• 40. El Rodaballo — Turbot
• 41. La Salema  / La Salpa — Sarpa Salpa
• 42. El Esturión — Sturgeon
• 43. La Palometa — Pomfret
• 44. El Salmonete — Red Mullet
• 45. El Cabracho — Scorpionfish
• 46. El Pez Trompeta — Trumpetfish
• 47. El Roncador — Grunt
• 48. El Pez Loro — Parrotfish
• 49. El Pez Verde — Ornate Wrasse
• 50. La Lamprea — Lamprey
• More Vocabulary for Fish in Spanish
• • Vocabulary for Observing Fish
  • Vocabulary for Fishing
  • Vocabulary for Cooking and Eating Fish
• And One More Thing…

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. La Anchoa — Anchovy

Boquerón (white anchovy) is a small, cured type of anchovy with a delicate, salty taste, often served as a tapa or used in salads.

2. La Sardina — Sardine

Sardines are sold in cans in Spanish-speaking countries, just like in our home countries. So, you can talk about people being squished together, just as you would in English, with the metaphor estar como sardinas en lata  (to be like sardines in a can).

3. Atún — Tuna

In Spanish-speaking countries, tuna is every bit as popularly eaten and sold in cans ( atún enlatado  — canned tuna) as it is elsewhere in the world. That means you can watch funny commercials or listen to catchy jingles to remember the word atún and other Spanish language words.

You may hear albacore tuna referred to as albacora  in some areas, and skipjack tuna or striped tuna as bonito . 

4. El Bacalao — Cod

This fish is so prevalent in cooking and culture, that it’s even a common last name! There’s also a cute Latin American saying that goes “¡Chao pescao, bacalao!”  (Bye fish, bacalao!) which is the equivalent of our “See you later, alligator!”.

Dried, salted bacalao is found all over the Spanish-speaking world. One notable dish that uses it is the Ecuadorian fanesca , a stew featuring salty bacalao and 12 different types of grains and legumes, which is cooked for the Easter Holy Week.

Another fish in this family is the haddock or el eglefino , often used in the famed British fish and chips.

5. La Trucha — Trout

In Mexico and parts of Central America, you can say “ponte trucha” —it’s basically an even more colloquial version of “ponte pilas.”  Both expressions mean “look alive,” “be aware” or “open your eyes.”

6. El Salmón — Salmon

This Spanish fish name should be easy to remember—just don’t forget to pronounce the l, as it’s not silent like in English! 

7. El Pez Espada — Swordfish

This recognizable fish also has the Spanish name of el espadarte . Now you can add espada (sword) to your vocabulary list, too! 

8. La Tilapia — Tilapia

If you live in the United States, odds are that the tilapia you enjoy comes from a Spanish-speaking country. Honduras and Colombia are the top exporters of fresh tilapia to the U.S. 

9. La Corvina — Corvina

This fish has tender white meat which makes it a primo selection for ceviche  and any kind of soup or stew. It’s similar to the sea bass, and the names are sometimes used interchangeably. 

10. El/La Llampuga — Mahi-mahi

Llampuga is a colloquial name for this fish in parts of Latin America where it’s more commonly fished (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Central America) and even amongst Spanish-speaking Floridians. The particle seems to flexibly change between el and la in speaking and writing. El dorado  is another option.

11. El Lenguado — Sole

Lenguado de arena (sand sole) is a type of sole fish found in sandy coastal areas.

12. La Perca — Perch

Due to its colonizing nature and threat to native species, this fish is in el Catálogo Español de Especies Exóticas Invasoras (the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species). Because of the restrictions on catching, transporting and selling it, most of the perch you’ll find on menus in Spain actually comes from Africa.

13. El Pargo Rojo — Red Snapper

There’s some confusion with this fish as several species of amberjack fish used in sushi (including the Japanese amberjack, greater amberjack and yellowtail amberjack) are referred to as “yellowtail.” 

Amberjack fish are called serviolas in Spanish but you may find a variety of different names used for the species found in your sushi rolls including el pez Hamachi , pez de cola amarilla , pez limón , el jurel de Castilla , dorado chileno and  palometa chilena .

15. La Carpa — Carp

This well-known fish has been introduced to every continent except Antarctica and has been listed as one of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species in the world by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

16. La Cachama — Cachama

This type of fish is native to Amazonian rivers, so there’s no equivalent name in English. We commonly refer to it as cachama, pacu or tambaqui , all of which have origins in Spanish and regional indigenous languages of the Amazon.

If you’re heading on an Amazonian adventure, chances are you’ll feast on one of these big fish, fried with a side of yuca hervida (boiled yucca/cassava root).

17. El Bagre — Catfish

This is another fish you’ll find on the menu more often in Amazonian regions, and most often served in a simple  caldo de bagre (catfish soup/broth).

18. El Piraña — Piranha

This is a great word for describing anything tiny that bites or nibbles, like a teething infant or poorly-behaved chihuahua.

19. La Barracuda — Barracuda

These large, ferocious fish are found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world. If you do some sport fishing in a Spanish-speaking country, you may come across them and will easily be able to identify them. 

20. La Platija — Flounder

This fish has an interesting appearance with a flat body and both eyes on one side of its head. It’s commonly used in fish fillets or as a stuffing in seafood dishes. Ironically, Ariel’s best friend Flounder in “The Little Mermaid” is not actually a flounder fish. 

21. La Merluza — Hake

While this is a popular Latin American choice as well, merluza is a go-to fish for restaurant dishes and home-cooked recipes in Spain.

22. El Mero — Grouper

Also called cherna , this fish is in the same family as the sea bass. Fun fact: many grouper can change their sex from female to male.

23. El Pez Betta — Betta Fish/Siamese Fighting Fish

24. El Arenque — Herring

This is a small, oily fish found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats. It’s known for its distinctive flavor, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and is often pickled, smoked, or used in various traditional dishes.

25. La Macarela — Mackerel

Other common, colloquial words for this fish include la caballa (Latin America) and el verdel  (Spain).

Carite is the specific mackerel variety known as “king mackerel,” and it’s a common word to spot on menus in Latin America.

26. La Aguja Azul/Blanca  or El Marlín Azul/Blanco — Blue/White Marlin

Both of these species of billfish are targeted in sport fishing. Blue marlin is a highly prized fish found in tropical and subtropical waters. It’s characterized by its vibrant blue color, long bill and remarkable size. White marlin is a smaller, agile and acrobatic fish, sought after by anglers for its challenging fight.

27. El Rape — Monkfish

This fish is also called Pez sapo or Pejesapo  due to its appearance (sapo means “toad.”)

28. El Pez Vela — Sailfish

This is an iconic fish with a distinctive sail-like dorsal fin, which can be raised or lowered. Known for their incredible speed and acrobatic displays, they’re a popular target for sport fishing enthusiasts.

29. El Tiburón — Shark

Here are some different kinds of sharks you might spot while traveling:

tiburón martillo (hammerhead shark)
tiburón tigre (tiger shark)
tiburón ballena (whale shark)
tiburón galapagueño (Galápagos shark)
pintarroja (small-spotted catshark)

30. El Pez Ángel — Angelfish

This fish is also sometimes called el escalar . You’ve probably seen them gracefully swimming around a few aquariums.

31. La Lubina / El Róbalo — Sea Bass

This prized fish can be found in various regions around the world, including parts of South America. What we call Chilean sea bass in English is actually the Patagonian Toothfish, referred to in Spanish as la austromerluza , bacalao austral  or bacalao de profundidad .

32. La Anguila — Eel

Here are a few different kinds of eels: 

anguila eléctrica (electric eel)
congrio (conger eel)
morena (moray eel)

33. El Pez Globo — Pufferfish

Also known in English as blowfish, they’re characterized by their ability to inflate their bodies into a ball-like shape when threatened. They also possess a toxin called tetrodotoxin, which makes them highly poisonous. These fish are considered a delicacy in Japan and must be carefully prepared by skilled chefs to be consumed safely.

34. La Llampuga Voladora — Flying Fish

This fish, known for its ability to glide above the water’s surface, is often used in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines.

35. La Raya — Ray, Skate

Rays and skates are both dorsoventrally flat-bodied fish that are closely related to sharks. Here are some names of different types of rays: 

mantarraya (stingray)
raya mariposa (butterfly ray)
raya guitarra (guitarfish/shovelnose ray)
raya águila (eagle ray)
torpedo (electric ray)

36. El Pez Sierra — Sawfish

These large, unique fish are part of the same order as rays and skates and are also closely related to sharks. They inhabit tropical seas and estuaries and have a threatened conservation status.

37. La Chopa — Sea Bream

These fish inhabit coastal areas and are often used in Mediterranean cuisine. Here are a few other types of bream fish: 

sargo (white seabream)
besugo (blackspot seabream)
breca (red bream)
dorada (gilt-head bream)

38. El Pez Cardenal  / El Tetra Cardenal — Cardinal Tetra

You’ve likely seen these bright, peaceful fish in aquariums. 

39. El Róbalo Blanco — Sea Robin

This fish inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms and has the ability to “walk” along the seafloor using its fins.

40. El Rodaballo — Turbot

This fish is known for its ability to blend with its surroundings. It’s prized for its delicate flavor and is often prepared grilled or roasted. 

41. La Salema  / La Salpa — Sarpa Salpa

Also known as dreamfish, this is a colorful, medium-sized fish found in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s recognized for its vibrant appearance and occasional hallucinogenic properties when consumed.

42. El Esturión — Sturgeon

These fish are prized for their caviar but are facing conservation concerns, so maybe skip them on the menu. 

43. La Palometa — Pomfret

Palometa ahumada  (smoked pomfret) is gaining popularity on the market.

44. El Salmonete — Red Mullet

A salmonete de roca is a rock mullet while a salmonete de fango  lives in muddy areas.

45. El Cabracho — Scorpionfish

Here are the names of a few different kinds of scorpionfish:

rascacio (red scorpionfish)
pez brujo (Pacific spotted scorpionfish)
pez león (lionfish)

46. El Pez Trompeta — Trumpetfish

These fish have a distinct trumpet-like snout and a body that mimics the appearance of floating seaweed or coral branches. They use their stealthy camouflage to blend into their surroundings while hunting for small prey.

47. El Roncador — Grunt

This medium-sized fish makes a distinct grunting sound by grinding its teeth. They’re often found in schools near reefs and sandy bottoms.

48. El Pez Loro — Parrotfish

Loro means “parrot,” so now you’ve learned two Spanish animal names in one! These fish play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by feeding on algae and dead coral and excreting fine sand, contributing to the process of reef formation.

49. El Pez Verde — Ornate Wrasse

This is a small and beautifully adorned reef fish you might spot while diving or snorkeling in the Indo-Pacific region.

50. La Lamprea — Lamprey

These are ancient, jawless fish with slim, eel-like bodies and circular mouths lined with sharp teeth. They’re known for their parasitic feeding habits. Cute, right?

More Vocabulary for Fish in Spanish

We’ll cover the three main ways you’ll talk about fish: (1) when observing them in their habitats, (2) when fishing and (3) when eating them.

Vocabulary for Observing Fish

Vocabulary for Fishing

To learn more about fishing vocabulary, and fish vocabulary in general, check out the Panorama de Pesca, a popular Argentinian fishing magazine.

Vocabulary for Cooking and Eating Fish

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Well, there you have ’em!

Your catch of the day Spanish vocabulary, fresh out of the water.

Enjoy these words for fishes in Spanish and more while traveling, exploring and eating.

¡Chao pescao, bacalao!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

And One More Thing…

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