Dolphinfish
CORYPHAENIDAE
Mahi Mahi/ Dolphin
Coryphaena hippurus
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size Diet Behaviour Sex 
EPel to 1m+ Pisc Sh F
Synonyms: 
Mahi Mahi
Dolphinfish
Dorado
Mahi Mahi Male
Mahi Mahi Female
Mahi Mahi Juvenile
(C) Brent Maynard
(C) LifeCycleofMayflies
Description:
Adults: Torpediform body with some lateral compression.
Continuous dorsal fin from above eye to tail base. Body depth in adults less than 25% of SL; young fish (up to 30 cm) have a slender, elongate body with head profile slightly convex. In larger males ["Bulls"] (30-200 cm) the head profile becomes vertical with development of a very pronounces bony crest. A concave anal fin extends from anus almost to the forked caudal fin. Its back is a brilliant metallic blue-green, often with small dark spots. Large pectoral fins as long as head.
Juveniles: Only the tips of caudal lobes unpigmented. Pelvic fins black.


Ecology
Found in open waters, but also approaching the coast. Also follows ships and forms small concentrations below floating objects and Sargassum weed lines and patches. This allows them to feed as their prey seek shelter near and in these floating objects such as the flyingfish and squid. They are hunters who rely on theirvision to feed during the day.Primarily feeds upon epipelagic fishes, but also on crustaceans and squids. Found in habitats such as open and coastal waters, often in schools. Dolphinfish are found to a depth of 85m (300ft).

Life Cycle:
This species is very fast-growing and matures relatively early -  in the Eastern Caribbean, males reach 50% maturity at ~90 cm  (four to five months old) and females at ~80-85cm  (four to five months old). Spawning also occurs at body lengths of 20cm. Spawning is probably year-round (at water temperatures greater than 21°C), and spawning occurs in the open water near the surface.  Spawning occurs at least two or three times per spawning period, with 80,000-1,000,000 eggs being produced every time. Eggs are buoyant, colourless and spherical in shape with a diameter of 1.2-1.6mm.