Totoaba

endangered · Gulf of California · giant fish · drum family

World's biggest drum. The totoaba is the largest fish in the drum family, a group known for making croaking sounds underwater. These fish can grow bigger than most humans are tall.

Lives only in Mexico. Totoabas are found nowhere else on Earth except the Gulf of California, a special body of water between Mexico's mainland and a big peninsula. This makes them extra vulnerable because they have nowhere else to go.

Now critically endangered. Totoabas used to be super common, but illegal fishing has wiped out most of them in recent decades. Today, there are so few left that scientists worry the species might disappear forever.

Hunted for swim bladders. Poachers hunt totoabas mainly for their swim bladder, an organ that helps fish float. These swim bladders sell for huge amounts of money in some countries, which drives illegal fishing.

Accidental victims too. Totoabas often get caught in fishing nets meant for other fish, and they can drown because they can't escape. This fishing method called bycatch kills many totoabas every year.