In August 1997, the marine dinoflagellate identified as Exuviaella lima (or Prorocentrum lima) was collected from El Pardito Island in Baja California Sur, Mexico, after the report in that zone of ciguateric-type human intoxication. E. lima was isolated in the laboratory with the methods of micropipete, serial dilutions and agar petri dishes. E. lima has been reported to produce the diarrheic toxins: okadaic acid (OA), and dinophysistoxins (DTX-1, DTX-2, DTX4, DTX-5) that are associated with the ciguatera complex. E. lima was cultured in ES, K and f/2-Si medium, 12:12 light/dark cycle, and 22°C with constant stirring. The biomass was collected at the beginning of its stationary growth phase. Extraction and quantification of fatty acids (GCMS) and pigments (HPLC) was done. The major fatty acids (in order of decreasing abundance) were: 16:0 and 14:0 in the three culture medium; 18:4 was detected in f/2 and K, and 18:00 in ES; 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-6) in f/2, ES and K; 20:4 was detected only in f/2. The pigments profile consisted of chorophyll a, perydin, chlorophyll c1.c2, alloxanthin, zeaxanthin, b-carotene and fucoxanthin. Mouse bioassay, Artemia assay were done in order to evaluate the toxicity of a crude extract, resulting positive in both cases. Antimicrobian test was done in yeast showing a growth inhibition in the strain tested. TLC was used to identify the presence of toxins: OA and DTX-1. This study constitute the first isolation, culture, biochemical characterization and evaluation of the toxic dinoflagellate in Mexico.