dolphinfish

Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, known commonly as mahi-mahi or dorado, is a pelagic fish found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. It is the only species in the family Coryphaenidae.

The body is slender and strongly compressed, with a tall, continuous dorsal fin that extends along much of its length. The head is hammer-shaped, and the pectoral fins are long. In life, adults display vivid iridescent colors: a bright gold to green body dorsally, with blues and golds on the sides; colors fade after death.

Dolphinfish are fast swimmers and typically occur near the surface, often around floating objects, weed lines, or current convergence zones. They are highly migratory, found in warm tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, from the Atlantic, Pacific, to Indian Oceans. They reach lengths of up to about 1.8 meters and can weigh up to 54 kilograms, though most caught individuals are smaller.

Diet consists of squid, crustaceans, and small fish. They have a rapid growth rate and short life span; they mature quickly and reproduce multiple times per year. Spawning occurs in warm waters, producing large numbers of tiny, pelagic eggs.

Dolphinfish are an important species for commercial and recreational fisheries. They are valued for meat that is white, mild-flavored, and firm. They are often caught with longlines, trolling, and purse seines; bycatch considerations and stock status vary regionally. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and resilient life history.