Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with
capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors;
body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches
scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly
vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from
just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending to tail
Similar fish: pompano dolphin, C. equisetis; the
pompano dolphin has squarish tooth patch on tongue (oval tooth patch on dolphin)
and fewer dorsal rays (48 to 55 versus 55 to 65 on dolphin)
Where found: offshore in warm waters
Size: common to 30 pounds
Remarks: one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no
more than 5 years; swimming speed estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm oceanic
currents throughout much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on
flying fish and squid
The mahi-mahi (in Hawaiian) (Coryphaena hippurus) also known as dolphin-fish or rakingo, calitos, maverikos, or lampuka (in Maltese) are surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are one of only two members of the Coryphaenidae family, the other being the Pompano dolphinfish.
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Mahi-mahi are swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours. Their sides
are golden with iridescent greens and blues, and their belly is white and
yellow. These colours can change rapidly, excited fish "light up", and dying
mahi-mahi often turn silvery over-all with blue spots on the flanks. These
colours darken when the fish dies. The current IGFA all tackle record is 39.91
kilograms (88lb), caught in 1998 in Exuma, Bahamas. Catches average 7 to 13
kilograms (15 to 29 lb), and any mahi-mahi over 18 kilograms (40 lb) is
exceptional. Males are larger than females.
Mahi mahi are also known as dorado or dolphin fish. However, they are not at all
related to dolphins. Dolphins are air-breathing mammals, whereas mahi mahi are
water-breathing fish, distantly related to perch. They are good food fish,
similar to flounder, tilapia and other whitefish.
Fishing for Mahi Mahi
A typical fishing technique is to take a sport fishing boat to the edge of a
reef in about 120 feet (37 m) of water and troll near a line of floating
sargasso weed . Mahi-mahi often congregate around marine debris such as floating
boards, palm trees and fronds, often found in association with such weed lines.
Sargasso sometimes holds a complete ecosystem from microscopic creatures to
seahorses, small crabs, juvenile triggerfish and other bait fish. Frigate birds
dive for the food accompanying the debris or sargasso. Other fish may be present
in the area. Experienced fishermen can tell what species are likely around the
debris by the birds' behaviour.
Mahi-mahi hunt flying fish
Mahi-mahi typically are taken by trolling ballyhoo on the surface with 30 to 50
pound line test tackle. Once a school of Mahi are encountered, casting with
small jigs or Fly casting using a bait-and-switch technique can be successful.
Ballyhoo or a net full of live sardines tossed into the water can be used to
excite the mahi-mahis into a feeding frenzy. Hookless teaser lures can also be
employed in the same manner. The teasers or live chum are tossed into the water,
the fly is thrown to the feeding mahi-mahi. Once hooked, mahi-mahi are acrobatic
game fish displaying spectacular blue, yellow and green colours.
North Carolina Limits 10 fish per person per day.