Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) The dolphin fish is not a dolphin. Unlike dolphins, which are mammals, dolphin fish are a type of ray-finned fish. The dolphin fish most likely got its confusing common name because it was previously classified in the genus Dolfyn. It also has a melon-shaped head, much like that of a true dolphin. In the modern classification system, the fish belongs to the genus Coryphaena. If a restaurant menu includes "dolphin," it's referring to the dolphin fish, not the mammal. Some restaurants use the alternative names mahi-mahi and pompano to prevent confusion. Fast Facts: Dolphin Fish Scientific Name: Coryphaena hippurus (common dolphin fish); Coryphaena equiselis (pompano dolphin fish) Other Names: Dolphinfish, dolphin, mahi-mahi, dorado, pompano Distinguishing Features: Brilliantly colored fish with single dorsal fin spanning the length of the body; males have protruding foreheads Average Size: 1 meter in length and up to 40 kilograms (88 lb) weight Diet: Carnivorous Life Span: Up to 5 years, but usually less than 2 years Habitat: Temperate, subtropical, and tropical oceans worldwide Conservation Status: Least Concern Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Coryphaenidae Fun Fact: The dolphin fish is a very fast swimmer, reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph. Description There are two species of dolphin fish. The common dolphin fish (also known as mahi-mahi or dorado) is C. hippurus. The other species of dolphin fish is C. equiselis, which is also known as the pompano dolphin fish. Both species in the genus Coryphaena have a compressed head and single dorsal fin running the full length of the body. Both the anal and caudal fins are sharply concave. A mature male (bull) has a prominent protruding forehead, while a female has a rounded head. Mature females are smaller than males. Their long, slender bodies are well-suited to fast swimming. Mahi-mahi swim up to 50 knots (92.6 kph or 57.5 mph).
Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)
The dolphin fish is not a dolphin. Unlike dolphins, which are mammals, dolphin fish are a type of ray–finned fish. The dolphin fish most likely got its confusing common name because it was previously classified in the genus Dolfyn. It also has a melon-shaped head, much like that of a true dolphin. In the modern classification system, the fish belongs to the genus Coryphaena.
If a restaurant menu includes “dolphin,” it’s referring to the dolphin fish, not the mammal. Some restaurants use the alternative names mahi-mahi and pompano to prevent confusion.
Fast Facts: Dolphin Fish
- Scientific Name: Coryphaena hippurus (common dolphin fish); Coryphaena equiselis (pompano dolphin fish)
- Other Names: Dolphinfish, dolphin, mahi-mahi, dorado, pompano
- Distinguishing Features: Brilliantly colored fish with single dorsal fin spanning the length of the body; males have protruding foreheads
- Average Size: 1 meter in length and up to 40 kilograms (88 lb) weight
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Life Span: Up to 5 years, but usually less than 2 years
- Habitat: Temperate, subtropical, and tropical oceans worldwide
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Perciformes
- Family: Coryphaenidae
- Fun Fact: The dolphin fish is a very fast swimmer, reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph.
Description
There are two species of dolphin fish. The common dolphin fish (also known as mahi-mahi or dorado) is C. hippurus. The other species of dolphin fish is C. equiselis, which is also known as the pompano dolphin fish.
Both species in the genus Coryphaena have a compressed head and single dorsal fin running the full length of the body. Both the anal and caudal fins are sharply concave. A mature male (bull) has a prominent protruding forehead, while a female has a rounded head. Mature females are smaller than males. Their long, slender bodies are well-suited to fast swimming. Mahi-mahi swim up to 50 knots (92.6 kph or 57.5 mph).
Pompano dolphin fish are sometimes mistaken for juvenile common dolphin fish or mahi-mahi because they are small, reaching a maximum length of 127 centimeters (50 in). Pompano dolphin fish are bright blue-green with silver-gold sides. The fish fade in color to dull gray-green when they die.
A typical mahi-mahi reaches a length of one meter and a weight of 7 to 13 kg (15 to 29 lb), but fish over 18 kg (40 lb) have been caught. These fish are brilliantly colored in shades of blue, green, and gold. Pectoral fins are iridescent blue, the back is green and blue, while flanks are silvery-gold. Some individuals sport red spots. Out of water, the fish appears golden (giving rise to the name dorado). Upon death, color fades to yellowish-gray.
