Matagorda Bay
Perciformes - Perches
Gadiformes - Cods
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Labriformes - Wrasses
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Carangiformes - Jacks
Mulliformes - Goatfishes
Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Gobiiformes - Gobies
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Atheriniformes - Silversides
Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Rajiformes - Skates and rays
Perciformes - Perches
Gadiformes - Cods
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Labriformes - Wrasses
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Carangiformes - Jacks
Mulliformes - Goatfishes
Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Gobiiformes - Gobies
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Atheriniformes - Silversides
Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Rajiformes - Skates and rays
Matagorda Bay is a large Gulf of Mexico bay on the Texas coast, lying in Calhoun and Matagorda counties and located approximately 130 km northeast of Corpus Christi, 230 km east-southeast of San Antonio, 174 km south-southwest of Houston, and 269 km south-southeast of Austin. It is one of seven major estuaries along the Gulf Coast of Texas and serves as the mouth of numerous streams, most notably the Lavaca and Colorado Rivers. The Texas seaport of Port Lavaca is located on the systems northwestern extension of Lavaca Bay.
The bay is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Matagorda Peninsula. Its shore, especially near the Colorado River delta, provides a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The wildlife serves as a basis for the birding and fishing tourism, and is an essential component of the production of seafood, specifically shrimp and blue crab, which are the specialties of the area. The fertile land near the bay is ideal for farming, especially for the propagation of rice.