🌊 Saltwater

Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Coryphaena hippurus

The mahi-mahi — also called dorado or dolphin fish (despite no relation to dolphins) — is one of the most dazzling fish in the ocean. When alive, it blazes with gold, blue, and green iridescence, fading rapidly after death. Mahi-mahi are fast-growing, fast-swimming predators of the open ocean, beloved by anglers for their acrobatic jumps and excellent taste.

📏
Typical Size
3–5 feet (0.9–1.5m)
⚖️
Weight
15–40 lbs (6.8–18 kg) typical; record over 87 lbs (39.5 kg)
⏳
Lifespan
4–5 years (one of the shortest-lived large fish)
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Water Type
Saltwater

🗺️ Habitat

Tropical and subtropical ocean waters worldwide. Often found near floating debris, weed lines (Sargassum), and FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices).

🔍 How to Identify Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

  • 1Brilliant green-gold-blue iridescent coloring that fades quickly after death
  • 2Males (bulls) have a distinctive boxy, blunt forehead; females are more rounded
  • 3Long dorsal fin that runs almost the entire length of the body
  • 4Deeply forked tail
  • 5Very fast color change when excited or stressed

🍽️ Diet

Flying fish, squid, mackerel, crabs, and other pelagic prey

💡 Fun Facts About Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

  • ★Mahi-mahi are one of the fastest-growing fish in the ocean — they can grow 2.5 inches per week
  • ★Their name means "strong-strong" in Hawaiian
  • ★They are one of the most important commercial and recreational game fish in tropical regions
  • ★Despite the nickname "dolphinfish," they are not related to dolphins in any way
  • ★Mahi-mahi can change color rapidly, flashing between gold, blue, and green when excited

🛡️ Conservation Status

Least Concern — fast growth and reproduction make them resilient to fishing pressure

🔗 Related Species

Yellowfin TunaWahoo

Identify Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) Instantly with AI

Not sure if you found a Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)? Snap a photo with our Fish Identifier app for an instant AI-powered identification.

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Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's GuideMost Common Freshwater Fish in North America← Back to All Fish Species