Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish)

Mahi-mahi, also called common dolphinfish, is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish species that lives in temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters around the world. Mahi-mahi is considered one of the most beautiful ocean fish because of its shimmery, vivid colors. The fish is very popular for sport and commercial fishing and has white meat with a firm, moist texture, a sweet, mild flavor, and several health benefits. Its name is sometimes confused with Ahi, the Hawaiian word for yellowfin tuna.

Classification and Scientific Name

The name mahi-mahi is a Hawaiian word meaning “very strong,” but it’s also called mahi-mahi lapa, mahi-mahi oma, and mahihi. In Spanish, it is called dorado, referring to its muted golden color upon coming out of the water. Its scientific name is Coryphaena hippurus. The genus Coryphaena refers to dolphinfish and is the only genus of the family Coryphaenidae.

Carl Linnaeus named the genus after the Greek word koryphe, which means top or apex, in 1758. Synonymous scientific names for the species are Coryphaena argyrurus, Coryphaena chrysurus, and Coryphaena dolfyn. Its closest relatives are the remora, jack, and cobia.

Although there is only one mahi-mahi, it is divided into the Atlantic and Pacific populations. There is one other species in the genus Coryphaena, the pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis). Like its close relative, it is a surface-dwelling fish and is often a substitute for swordfish. Their habitats overlap in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Sometimes, it is mistaken for juvenile mahi-mahi, as it is smaller than adult mahi-mahi.

Appearance

Mahi-mahi have flattened bodies with a long-based dorsal fin that extends nearly all the way from the head to the tail. Males have large, protruding foreheads, while females have rounded heads. Both their caudal and anal fins are very concave. However, what strikes people the most is their beautiful colors of shimmery golden sides, blue and green sides and back, and a golden flank with shimmery blue pectoral fins.

Mahi-mahi have features that help them avoid predators. For one thing, their coloring is believed to help them camouflage themselves by changing the way light reflects off their skin while they roam the open ocean at surface levels. Also, their body shape and their long-based dorsal fin help them swim up to 60mph.

On average, these fish measure 39.3 in long and weigh 15 to 29 lbs, but rarely exceed 33 lbs. Females are smaller than males.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

This fish species lives in saltwater and makes its habitat in temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. It is most common around Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Indian Ocean. As a surface-dwelling fish, it can be found at depth levels of 5 to 10 m in the open sea, but also near the coast.

This species is highly migratory and travels in schools. Spawning in the open sea, it moves closer to the coast when the temperature rises.

Wild-caught mahi-mahi is sustainably managed, and its numbers are considered to be stable for both Atlantic and Pacific populations, although population numbers are not known. The IUCN Red List lists the common dolphinfish as Least Concern.

Where to Find Mahi-Mahi and How to Catch Them

You can find these fish in waters with a temperature of around 83 degrees Fahrenheit, with higher numbers present during spring and fall. Fishermen in French Polynesia use harpoons to catch them, but because the fish are also attracted to floating objects, you can easily catch them by throwing bait out next to floating seaweed.

Predators and Prey

These fish are technically omnivorous, although their diet is mainly carnivorous. Its speed allows it to quickly catch its prey. To minimize detection by predators, its coloring serves as camouflage on the open ocean, while its body shape allows it to swim quickly. Because it grows so fast, it can quickly replenish its numbers.

What do mahi-mahi eat?

Mahi-mahi eats flying fish, mackerel, and other forage like crabs and squid. It also eats zooplankton and sargassum weed.

What eats Mahi-mahi?

Sharks, billfish, large tuna, marlin, sailfish, swordfish, and marine mammals eat mahi-mahi. Humans also eat mahi-mahi.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Both males and females become sexually mature in 3 to 5 months, and for this reason, they are known as the rabbits of the ocean. They spawn when they reach 7.9 to 22 inches in length. Females spawn up to 2 to 3 times a year and can release anywhere between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs each time. The mahi-mahi lifespan can be up to 5 years, although it usually doesn’t live longer than 4 years.

Mahi-Mahi in Fishing and Cooking

These fish are caught in both recreational and commercial fishing. Locations that are its largest consumers are Hawaii, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, and Japan, although it is becoming more commonly eaten in European countries. Global supply locations for the fish are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and the United States.

Mahi-mahi fish has meat that turns white when cooked. It has a firm, moist texture and a sweet, mild flavor. On a scale of four mercury levels, it is considered a moderate-mercury fish. The benefits of the mahi-mahi are lean protein, iron, selenium, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B.