Fish
Common Dolphinfish
Coryphaena hippurusAlso known as Mahi-mahi, Dorado, Dolphinfish
Common dolphinfish are blazingly fast pelagic predators that flash brilliant hues of iridescent blue, green, and yellow while hunting near the ocean surface. Mature males develop a prominent steep forehead crest, creating a blunt profile that helps distinguish them from females. They grow with astonishing speed, living brief high-energy lives centered around surface structures like floating seaweed mats and flotsam.
OceanicFast SwimmerPredatory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlyingfish, Squid, Pelagic Crabs
Predators
- Sharks
- Billfish
- Tunas
ThreatsCommercial longline fisheries, ocean warming, marine debris
HabitatsOffshore pelagic waters, tropical and subtropical oceans
Life span4–5 years
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilyCoryphaenidae
- GenusCoryphaena
- SpeciesCoryphaena hippurus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from boats in offshore waters.
Responsible observation
- Look near Flotsam: Scan the water around floating sargassum mats, buoy lines, and offshore debris.
- Watch Color Shifts: Observe how their vivid metallic colors dynamically flash during active hunting bursts.
- Maintain Safe Distance: Keep clear of sharp hooks and flailing tails when viewing catches aboard vessels.
Predator (c) Michel Frisch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michel Frisch · cc-by
Prey Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin) / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative NOAA/FPIR Observer Program / Public domain · cc0
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