Largest tributaries
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Perciformes - Perches
Carangiformes - Jacks
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Istiophoriformes - Barracudas
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders
Albuliformes - Bonefishes
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Labriformes - Wrasses
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes
Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards
Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes
Lampriformes - Lamprids
Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Siluriformes - Catfishes
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Gadiformes - Cods
Acipenseriformes - Sturgeons and Paddlefish
Mulliformes - Goatfishes
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels
Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers
Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes
Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes
Beryciformes - Sawbellies
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Gobiiformes - Gobies
The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States; on the southwest and south by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo; and on the southeast by Cuba.
The Gulf of Mexico took shape approximately 300 million years ago as a result of plate tectonics. The Gulf of Mexico basin is roughly oval in shape and is approximately 810 nautical miles (1,500 km; 930 mi) wide.
Its floor consists of sedimentary rocks and recent sediments. It is connected to the part of the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits between the U.S. and Cuba, and with the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatán Channel between Mexico and Cuba. Because of its narrow connection to the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf experiences very small tidal ranges. The size of the Gulf basin is approximately 1.6 million km2 (615,000 sq mi). Almost half of the basin consists of shallow continental-shelf waters. The volume of water in the basin is roughly 2.4×106 cubic kilometers (5.8×105 cubic miles).
