Official circular logo of Ankla Azul Diving Center, featuring a wave, anchor, dive flag, and the text "It's more than just kicking your fins."

Let’s Plan Your Dive

Panamic Graysby

Cephalopholis panamensis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Sea Basses & Groupers (Serranidae) Size: Up to 30 cm (12 in) Depth: 3 – 76m (10...

Acapulco Damselfish

Stegastes acapulcoensis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) Size: Up to 18 cm (7 in) Habitat: Shallow rocky reefs...

Burrito Grunt

Anisotremus interruptus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Family: Grunts (Haemulidae) Size: Up to 60 cm (24 in) | Common: 35 cm Depth: 3 – 30m (10 – 100ft)...

Panamic Sergeant Major

Abudefduf troschelii Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) Size: Up to 20 cm (8 in) Depth: 0 – 15m (0 – 50ft)...

Wounded Wrasse

Halichoeres chierchiae Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Wrasses (Labridae) Size: Up to 20 cm (8 in) | Common: 15 cm Depth: 2 – 35m (6 –...

Leather Bass (Juvenile)

Dermatolepis dermatolepis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Juvenile Family: Sea Basses & Groupers (Serranidae) Size: 5 – 15 cm (2 – 6 in) for juveniles...

Pacific Porgy

Calamus brachysomus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Porgies (Sparidae) Size: Up to 61 cm (24 in) | Common: 35 cm Depth: 3 – 80m (10 – 260ft)...

Yellow edged moray

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Moray Eels (Muraenidae) Size: Up to 1.2 m (4 ft) | Common: 80 cm Depth: 2 –...

Acapulco Damselfish (Juvenile)

Stegastes acapulcoensis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Juvenile Family: Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) Size: 2 – 6 cm (1 – 2.5 in) Depth: 2 – 10m (5 –...

Blue and Gold Snapper

Lutjanus viridis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Snappers (Lutjanidae) Size: Up to 30 cm (12 in) | Common: 20 cm Depth: 3 – 30m (10 –...

Gorgona Guitarfish

Pseudobatos prahli Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae) Size: Up to 90 cm (3 ft) | Weight: Up to 1.4 kg Depth: 18 –...

Panamic Green Moray

Gymnothorax castaneus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Moray Eels (Muraenidae) Size: Up to 150 cm (5 ft) | Weight: Up to 4.76 kg Habitat:...

Roughjaw Frogfish

Fowlerichthys avalonis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Frogfishes (Antennariidae) Size: Up to 35 cm (14 in) | Common: 15 cm Depth: 1 – 100m...

Panamic Fanged Blenny

Ophioblennius steindachneri Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Combtooth Blennies (Blenniidae) Size: Up to 18 cm (7 in) Depth: 1 – 20m (3 –...

Fine-spotted Moray

Gymnothorax dovii Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Moray Eels (Muraenidae) Size: Up to 1.7 m (5.5 ft) | Common: 1 m Depth: 3 – 40m (10 –...

Panamic Soldierfish

Myripristis leiognathos Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult  Family: Squirrelfishes & Soldierfishes (Holocentridae) Size: Up to 18 cm (7 in) |...

Giant Damselfish (Juvenile)

Microspathodon dorsalis Explore - Pacific Fish ID Juvenile Family: Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) Size: Up to 31 cm (12 in) | Common: 20 cm Depth: 1 –...

Pacific Creolefish

Paranthias colonus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Sea Basses & Groupers (Serranidae) Size: Up to 35 cm (14 in) | Common: 25 cm Depth: 3...

King Angelfish

Holacanthus passer Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Angelfishes (Pomacanthidae) Size: Up to 35 cm (14 in) | Common: 15 cm Depth: 4 – 30m (12...

Balloonfish

Diodon holocanthus Explore - Pacific Fish ID Adult Family: Porcupinefishes (Diodontidae) Size: Up to 50 cm (20 in) | Common: 15 cm Depth: 2 – 200m...

Pacific Fish ID

Explore the diverse fish species of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. From massive schools of jacks to the elusive cryptic blennies hiding in the reef.

Meet the Locals

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A head-on, close-up underwater photograph of a Panamic Graysby grouper peeking out from a narrow crevice between two mossy reef rocks, showcasing its distinctive face covered in bright blue-and-gold honeycomb scale patterns.

Adult

Panamic Graysby

Cephalopholis panamensis
Family: Serranidae | Size: 30 cm

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A dramatic close-up macro photograph of a Panamic Green Moray eel with its mouth wide open, showcasing its sharp, glass-like teeth and a tiny orange-banded cleaner fish resting on its lower jaw.
Panamic Green Moray | Ankla Azul

Adult

Panamic Green Moray

Gymnothorax castaneus
Family: Muraenidae | Size: 150 cm

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A stunning macro underwater photograph of a vibrant pink and orange spotted Coral Hawkfish perched perfectly between hard coral branches, showing off its raised dorsal spines topped with unique yellow hair-like filaments.
Coral hawkfish | Ankla Azul
Coral hawkfish | Ankla Azul
Coral hawkfish | Ankla Azul

Adult

Coral Hawkfish

Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
Family: Cirrhitidae | Size: 10 cm

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A side-profile underwater photograph of a male Spotted Boxfish, showcasing its distinctive boxy body with a black, white-spotted back, vibrant electric blue sides covered in orange-centered dark spots, and a bright gold band on its head.

Adult
Male

Spotted Boxfish

Ostracion meleagris
Family: Ostraciidae | Size: 15-25 cm

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A beautiful side-profile underwater photograph of a Blacknosed Butterflyfish (Barberfish) swimming over a reef, showcasing its compressed, silvery-yellow body, sharp black bands along the dorsal fin, and distinctive black markings around its eyes and muzzle.

Adult

Blacknosed Butterflyfish

Johnrandallia nigrirostris
Family: Chaetodontidae | Size: 20 cm

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An underwater macro photograph capturing a pair of Longnose Hawkfish with distinct red-and-white checkered patterns and long snouts, resting together among the branches of a white gorgonian sea fan.

Adult

Longnose Hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus
Family: Cirrhitidae | Size: 13 cm

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Zebra Moray | Ankla Azul

Adult

Zebra Moray

Gymnomuraena zebra
Family: Muraenidae | Size: 1.5 m

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A close-up macro photograph of a Panamic Fanged Blenny peeking out of a barnacle-encrusted reef, featuring a dark brown body, a distinctive orange-ringed eye, and translucent blue pectoral fins.

Adult

Panamic Fanged Blenny

Ophioblennius steindachneri
Family: Blenniidae | Size: 18 cm

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A close-up, front-facing underwater photograph of a juvenile Acapulco Damselfish, showing off its dark body and brilliant neon blue spots and facial stripes, hovering near a rocky reef crevice.
A detailed macro photograph of a juvenile Acapulco Damselfish, featuring a dark body adorned with bright iridescent neon blue spots and facial stripes, swimming against a colorful out-of-focus reef background.

Juvenile

Acapulco Damselfish (Juvenile)

Stegastes acapulcoensis
Family: (Pomacentridae) | Size: 6 cm

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Acapulco Damselfish
Acapulco Damselfish

Adult

Acapulco Damselfish

Stegastes acapulcoensis
Family: Pomacentridae | Size: 18 cm

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Gorgona Guitarfish | Ankla An overhead underwater photograph of a Gorgona Guitarfish resting near the seabed, showing its smooth, olive-brown body speckled with small white spots, its highly pointed triangular snout, and its prominent yellow-and-black eyes.
Gorgona Guitarfish | Ankla Azul
Gorgona Guitarfish | Ankla Azul

Adult

Gorgona Guitarfish

Pseudobatos prahli
Family: Rhinobatidae | Size: 90 cm

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Brassy chub | Ankla Azul
Brassy Chub | Ankla Azul

Adult

Brassy Chub

Kyphosus vaigiensis
Family: Kyphosidae | Size: 50 cm

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Spot-fin porcupinefish | Ankla Azul
Spot-fin porcupinefish | Ankla Azul
Spot-fin porcupinefish | Ankla Azul

Adult

Spot-fin Porcupinefish

Diodon hystrix
Family: Diodontidae | Size: 90 cm

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Balloon Balloon fish | Ankla Azul

Adult

Balloonfish

Diodon holocanthus
Family: Diodontidae | Size: 50 cm

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Guineafowl puffer | Ankla Azul

Adult

Guineafowl Puffer

Arothron meleagris
Family: Tetraodontidae | Size: 50 cm 

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King Angelfish | Ankla Azul
King Angelfish | Ankla Azul

Adult

King Angelfish

Holacanthus passer
Family: Pomacanthidae | Size: 35 cm

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A bright yellow and blue Bluestriped Chub swimming against a clear blue water background in Bahía Solano.
Ankla Azul educational graphic featuring a close-up profile of a Bluestriped Chub with the text "Explore" and its scientific name Sectator ocyurus.

Adult

Bluestriped Chub

Kyphosus ocyurus
Family: (Kyphosidae) | Size: 35 cm

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A juvenile Giant Damselfish with a dark body and brilliant neon electric blue spots swimming over a coral reef in Bahía Solano.

Juvenile

Giant Damselfish (Juvenile)

Microspathodon dorsalis
Family: (Pomacentridae) | Size: 20 cm

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A vibrant Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) swimming laterally over a reef, displaying its long white dorsal filament and bold black and yellow stripes.

Adult

Moorish Idol

Zanclus cornutus
Family: (Zanclidae) | Size: 15 cm

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A reddish-orange Pacific Creolefish with distinct white spots on its back swimming near a rocky reef in Bahía Solano.

Adult

Pacific Creolefish

Paranthias colonus
Family: (Serranidae) | Size: 35 cm

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Close-up of a Fine-spotted Moray eel (Gymnothorax dovii) peeking out of a rocky crevice with white spots on dark skin.

Adult

Fine-spotted Moray

Gymnothorax dovii
 Family: (Muraenidae) | Size: 1 m

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Sergeant major | Ankla Azul

Adult

Panamic Sergeant Major

Abudefduf troschelii
Family: Pomacentridae | Size: 20 cm

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Close-up macro shot of a vibrant red Sanguine Frogfish (Antennarius sanguineus) resting on a sponge in Bahía Solano.

Adult

Sanguine Frogfish

Antennarius sanguineus
Family: (Antennariidae) | Size: 10 cm

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A rare purple Roughjaw Frogfish (Fowlerichthys avalonis) blending perfectly into the rocky reef background in Bahía Solano.

Adult

Roughjaw Frogfish

Fowlerichthys avalonis
Family: (Antennariidae) | Size: 35 cm

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Profile view of a reddish Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) with prominent white edges on its fins, swimming past coral.
A Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) with a large dark eye and coppery-red body swimming on a rocky reef in Bahía Solano.
A close-up of a Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) showing its large eye and textured scales against a blurred reef background.

Adult

Panamic Soldierfish

Myripristis leiognathos
Family: (Holocentridae) | Size: 18 cm

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A side profile of a Blue and Gold Snapper (Lutjanus viridis) showing distinct electric blue stripes on a bright yellow body against a blue ocean background. Title Attribute: Blue and Gold Snapper - Pacific Reef Fish

Adult

Blue and Gold Snapper

Lutjanus viridis
Family: (Lutjanidae) | Size: 30 cm

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Close-up portrait of a Yellow-edged Moray Eel (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus) with bright orange eyes peering out of a rocky crevice.
Close-up portrait of a Yellow-edged Moray Eel (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus) with bright orange eyes peering out of a rocky crevice.

Adult

Yellow-edged Moray

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus
Family: (Muraenidae) Size: Common: 80 cm

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A colorful Wounded Wrasse (Halichoeres chierchiae) swimming laterally over a reef, displaying the distinctive red blotch behind its pectoral fin.

Adult

Wounded Wrasse

Halichoeres chierchiae
Family: (Labridae) Size: 20 cm

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Close-up side profile of a Yellowfin Goatfish showing its bright yellow stripe.
A school of Yellowfin Goatfish swimming together in formation over a rocky reef in Bahía Solano.
A vibrant Mexican Goatfish (Mulloidichthys dentatus) angled downwards, actively foraging for food on the sandy sea floor in the Colombian Pacific.

Adult

Mexican Goatfish

Mulloidichthys dentatus
Family: (Mullidae) Size: Up to 30 cm

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Close-up profile of a Burrito Grunt (Anisotremus interruptus) showing its silvery speckled body, yellow fins, and bright yellow eye.

Adult

Burrito Grunt

Anisotremus interruptus
Family: (Haemulidae) Size: Up to 60 cm

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A slender, pale Quakerfish (Malacanthus brevirostris) swimming horizontally over a sandy bottom, displaying its large blue eye with a yellow brow.

Adult

Quakerfish

Malacanthus brevirostris
Family: (Malacanthidae) Size: Up to 30 cm

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Close-up macro shot of a Sabertooth Blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) with orange and brown markings peeking out of a hole in the reef.

Adult

Sabertooth Blenny

Plagiotremus azaleus
Family: (Blenniidae) Size: Up to 10 cm

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A side-profile underwater photograph of a Jolthead Porgy swimming just above a sandy ocean floor, showcasing its silvery scales speckled with iridescent blue dots and its distinct steep, sloping snout.

Adult

Pacific Porgy

Calamus brachysomus
Family: Porgies (Sparidae) Size: Up to 80 cm

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An underwater side-profile photograph of a Blue-barred Parrotfish swimming over a rocky reef, displaying bright turquoise and pink scales, orange eyes, and a distinctive beak-like mouth.

Adult

Blue-barred Parrotfish

Scarus ghobban
Family: Parrotfishes (Scaridae) Size: Up to 90 cm

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A detailed macro underwater photograph of a juvenile Leather Bass grouper hovering near a colorful reef wall, displaying its striking jet-black and bright white vertical zebra-stripe pattern.

Juvenile

Leather Bass (Juvenile)

Dermatolepis dermatolepis
Family: Sea Basses Size: 5 – 15 cm

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Adult

Redhead Goby

Elacatinus puncticulatus
Family: Gobies Size: Up to 4 cm

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More Fishes To Come ...

More Than Kicking Your Fins

At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It's patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano's wild Pacific.