Mahi-mahi

The mahi-mahi (MAH-hee-MAH-hee), also called the common dolphinfish, dorado, or simply dolphin, is a ray-finned fish that lives near the surface of temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters around the world. It belongs to the family Coryphaenidae, which has only two members; the other is the pompano dolphinfish. The Hawaiian name “mahi-mahi” means “very strong,” formed by repeating the word for “strong.” Despite the name “dolphinfish,” this fish is not related to the marine mammal known as a dolphin; the term was adopted to prevent confusion. In the Pacific and along English-speaking parts of South Africa, it is often called dorado, its Spanish name.

The fish has a compressed body and a single, very long dorsal fin that runs from near the head to the tail. Mature males develop a prominent, protruding forehead that grows with age, while females have a rounded head—a sexually dimorphic trait. The caudal and anal fins are sharply concave. Mahi-mahi are vividly colored, with golden sides, bright blues and greens on the back and sides, and iridescent blue pectoral fins. When taken out of the water, they change color through several hues before fading to a muted yellow-gray after death, which explains the Spanish name dorado, meaning “golden.”

Mahi-mahi can live up to five years, though most do not exceed four. Females are generally smaller than males. Typical catches weigh between 7 and 13 kg (15–29 lb) and measure about a meter (3 ft) in length. Fish over 15 kg (33 lb) are rare, and those above 18 kg (40 lb) are exceptional. They are among the fastest-growing fish. Spawning occurs in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and the young are often found among floating rafts of Sargassum seaweed. Young mahi-mahi migrate past Malta, where they are called lampuki, and Sicily, where they are known as lampuga or capone; there, fishermen catch them using nets and floating mats of palm leaves that attract the fish.

Both males and females reach sexual maturity within their first year, usually by four to five months of age. Spawning can begin at a body length of just 20 cm (7.9 in). Females may spawn two to three times a year, releasing between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs per event. In waters at 28 °C (82 °F), larvae are present year-round, with higher numbers in spring and fall. The fish are mostly found near the surface. Their flesh is grey-white when raw and cooks to a white color with a clean, mild flavor.

Mahi-mahi are carnivores. They feed on small pelagic bony fish such as flying fish, man-o-war fish, sargassum fish, and triggerfish, as well as pelagic larvae of bottom-dwelling bony fish like flying gurnards, triggerfish, pufferfish, and grunts. They also eat crabs, other crustaceans, squid, other epipelagic cephalopods, jellyfish, and juveniles of large forage fish such as tuna, billfish, jack, mackerel, and even other mahi-mahi. Zooplankton is also part of their diet. To chase this varied prey, they are fast swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 50 knots (92.6 km/h; 57.5 mph).

Mahi-mahi are highly prized for both sport and commercial fishing. Sport fishermen target them for their beauty, size, good eating quality, and healthy populations. They are found in the Caribbean Sea, along the west coasts of North and South America, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast of Florida and West Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Tahiti, and many other locations. Fishing charters often look for floating debris and frigatebirds near reef edges in about 120 feet (37 m) of water. Mahi-mahi frequently gather around floating wood, bucket lids, palm fronds, sargasso weed lines, and fish buoys. Frigatebirds hunt for food near such debris, and experienced guides can identify likely fish species by the birds’ behavior. Trolling gear rated for 30 to 50 pounds (14–23 kg) is sufficient. Fly-casters may use frigatebirds to locate large mahi-mahi and then employ a bait-and-switch method. Tossing ballyhoo or live sardines into the water can trigger a feeding frenzy; hookless teaser lures work similarly. Once hooked, mahi-mahi are fast, colorful, and acrobatic.

The United States and Caribbean nations are the main consumers of mahi-mahi, though European countries are eating more each year. In Australia, it is a popular food fish, usually caught as bycatch by tuna and swordfish fisheries.