The Basics
- Description. The mahi-mahi has a distinct appearance, with a long, tall, and narrow body and a blunt head and mouth.
- Distribution and Habitat. Mahi-mahi can be found throughout the world, particularly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters.
- Diet and Predators. Mahi-mahi are predatory fish. ...
- Reproduction and Life Cycle. ...
- Conservation Status. ...
How does mahi mahi protect itself?
Mahi Mahi
- Description of the Mahi Mahi. This species of fish has a very distinguishable appearance. ...
- Interesting Facts About the Mahi Mahi. ...
- Habitat of the Mahi Mahi. ...
- Distribution of the Mahi Mahi. ...
- Diet of the Mahi Mahi. ...
- Mahi Mahi and Human Interaction. ...
- Mahi Mahi Care. ...
- Behavior of the Mahi Mahi. ...
- Reproduction of the Mahi Mahi. ...
Why is mahi mahi called a dolphin?
Why is mahi-mahi called dolphin? Mahimahi is the Hawaiian name for dolphinfish. The Hawaiian moniker came into common use to prevent consumers from confusing this fish with the marine mammal, to which it is unrelated. The alternative name of dolphin-fish came about from the fish’s habit of swimming ahead of sailing ships, as dolphins do.
Does mahi mahi have teeth?
The Mahi Mahi: the jewel of the ocean. Fish come in all shapes and sizes – some small and colorful, others large and shiny. Some have big sharp teeth, and some have no teeth at all.
Does mahi mahi have bones?
Some fish which is readily made into steaks, like tuna or halibut, will have either no bones at all or just a bone right in the middle. Sole, swordfish, mahi mahi, grouper, whitefish, perch, any of these will be virtually bone free.
Where is mahi-mahi most popular?
Popular recreational fisheries for mahi-mahi are located in the Gulf of Mexico, along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, along the Pacific coast of Panama and the Caribbean Sea, around Hawaiʻi, around Southeast Asia, and along the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
Is mahi-mahi good eating?
It sure is! An excellent source of healthy, lean protein, mahi mahi is also rich in Niacin, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, and Selenium.
What is the mahi-mahi habitat?
These fish live throughout tropical, subtropical, and into temperate seas worldwide. They live primarily in tropical regions. You can find them in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Large populations live in the waters around Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico.
Is mahi-mahi wild caught?
The mahi mahi filets are wild caught and a product of Ecuador. I have been eating these filets twice a week and am very satisfied with the quality of the fish.
What's the cleanest fish to eat?
According to Seafood Watch, here are six fish that are healthy for you and the planet.Albacore Tuna (troll- or pole-caught, from the US or British Columbia) ... Salmon (wild-caught, Alaska) ... Oysters (farmed) ... Sardines, Pacific (wild-caught) ... Rainbow Trout (farmed) ... Freshwater Coho Salmon (farmed in tank systems, from the US)
Is Mahi healthier than salmon?
Nutrition Facts Is mahi mahi a fatty fish? Overall it's lean compared to fattier fish like salmon and sardines, but it does contain some healthy, anti-inflammatory fatty acids. There are only one to two grams of total fat in a typical serving of this fish, so it's not quite as high in omega-3s as other oilier fishes.
Is mahi-mahi dolphin or shark?
The name mahi mahi is preferred over dolphinfish so as to not confuse it with the marine mammal. It was called dolphinfish because of its tendency to swim ahead of sailing ships, like dolphins do. The fish was first a bycatch of tuna and swordfish fisheries, but now has a longline fishery just for its species.
Is mahi-mahi high in mercury?
Mahi Mahi is considered to have low to moderate mercury levels, on average. The FDA measured an average of 0.178 PPM (parts per million) of mercury in Mahi Mahi, on average. To put this in perspective, 0.1PPM is considered 'low', so it sits just above this level, into the 'moderate' category (source: FDA).
Are mahi-mahi in Hawaii?
Mahi Mahi are available in Oahu's waters the entire year, and become especially abundant between March and September. Because of their high metabolisms, these fish are quickly attracted to sardines and mackerel, making them easy to catch with live bait and medium-weight tackle.
Is mahi mahi ever farm raised?
Mahi have been raised experimentally and in pilot-scale operations using a variety of culture systems, including floating net cages, recirculating systems and flow-through tanks and raceways. However, the economic feasibility of producing mahi commercially has not been realized.
Is Costco mahi mahi good?
We chose to grill the Mahi Mahi and it was moist, flaky, soft, tender and cooked up easily. It tasted fresh and healthy, Sean reported that he had one bite that tasted a bit fishy but that was it. The fish does not come seasoned so you control how much salt or marinade you use.
What is the best tasting fish?
What is the Tastiest Fish to Eat?Cod.Sea Bass.Halibut.Red Snapper.Salmon.Catfish.Swordfish.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch mahi mahi rarely contacts the ocean floor and has minimal impacts on habitat.
Population Status
Scientists assume populations are abundant because they are highly productive and widely distributed throughout tropical/subtropical oceans.
Appearance
Brightly colored back is an electric greenish blue, lower body is gold or sparkling silver, and sides have a mixture of dark and light spots.
Where They Live
Mahi mahi are found in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, and are caught from Massachusetts to Texas.
Fishery Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (link is external) (in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic (link is external) and New England (link is external) Fishery Management Councils) manage the Atlantic stock of Mahi mahi.
Harvest
In 2020, commercial fishermen harvested more than 275,000 pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (primarily from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida) valued at $812,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Where do squid live?
These fish live throughout tropical, subtropical, and into temperate seas worldwide. They live primarily in tropical regions. You can find them in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Large populations live in the waters around Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico.
What is the name of the dolphin fish?
Animals Network Team. The Mahi Mahi , also known as the dolphin fish or dorado, is a species of fish in the Coryphaenidae family. The family contains only one other member, the pompano dolphinfish. The closest relatives of these fish include the remora, cobia, jack, and more. Read on to learn about the Mahi Mahi.
How big is a blue fish?
It has blue-green scales along its back and yellow scales on its sides and underbelly. On average, this fish measures just over three feet long. However, exceptionally large individuals can surpass six ...
Description
The mahi-mahi has a distinct appearance, with a long, tall, and narrow body and a blunt head and mouth. They normally grow to around 30 pounds and 1 meter in length and are also distinguishable by their spectacular coloring. On their flanks, they are mostly a golden-yellow color with iridescent blue pectoral fins.
Distribution and Habitat
Mahi-mahi can be found throughout the world, particularly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. They are commonly observed in Hawaii, throughout Central America and Mexico, as well as much of the Indian Ocean.
Diet and Predators
Mahi-mahi are predatory fish. They rely on their speed and their large mouths to capture various prey species including small fish. They will also hunt cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish as well as various crustaceans. Juveniles in particular are also known to feed on zooplankton, small animals floating the oceans at the whim of the currents.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mahi-mahi is a fast-growing species, with both females and males normally reaching sexual maturity within their first year of life. The spawning season typically occurs two or three times per year, with females producing anywhere between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs during each spawning season.
Conservation Status
Traditionally treated as bycatch in other fisheries such as tuna, mahi-mahi is now a popular commercial and sport fishery target. Due perhaps in part to their fast growth rate, current mahi-mahi stocks are believed to be relatively strong and sustainable.
Fastest Growing
Mahi-mahi are a relatively fast-growing species. They can grow up to 2.7 inches per week and can reach their adult size within about one year, normally becoming sexually mature at just 5-6 months of age. Due to this trait, it is sometimes referred to as the rabbit of the sea.
On the Fly
The mahi-mahi is a predatory species, feeding on all kinds of marine organisms. In particular, they hunt various species of smaller fish. One prey species of mahi-mahi is particularly interesting. The flying fish is known to ‘fly’, in which it actually ‘skims’ across the water in a series of shallow-trajectory jumps.
What is the fastest growing fish in the ocean?
One of the fastest-growing fish in the ocean, Mahi or Dolphin have a voracious appetite and is easy to entice to strike slow trolled artificial lures and if hooked and kept near the boat will bring others close by schooling dolphin in for a snack. Mahi can be found practically worldwide and are a dinner time favorite everywhere.
What is the best blue water fish to catch?
Believe me, Mahi Mahi fish is the easiest blue water fish to catch for the average angler and pay off big time on the dinner table so get out there and perfect your technique!
Where to catch dolphins in Florida?
The southeast coast of Florida and the Keys are some of the best Dolphin fishing waters available. Much like Sailfish, both know for there great dorsal fin and as a pelagic species of Dolphin fish, which means they roam the open ocean. They prefer warmer waters and the prime location for catching Mahi Mahi fish is the Gulfstream along ...
Why is my fish rubbery?
The fish will be rubbery if it is overcooked. Meanwhile, heat the butter sauce with the garlic and salt (I heat it slowly until the garlic is no longer raw). Remove the fish from the steamer and discard the beer/liquid/rind. Serve the fish chunks with the garlic butter dipping sauce and your favorite sides.
What Is Mahi Mahi?
Mahi mahi are fish that live in warm waters and rarely grow over 30 pounds during their four-to-five-year lifespans. Mahi mahi means "strong" in the Hawaiian language because these fish are very vigorous swimmers. Mahi mahi have pale pink, lean flesh that cooks up flakey and white.
What Does Mahi Mahi Taste Like?
Like many other tropical fish, mahi mahi is semi-mild and sweet tasting. It's similar to halibut in terms of flakiness, but also similar to swordfish in its denseness. If you can't find mahi mahi, you can substitute either halibut or swordfish for it.
How to Cook Mahi Mahi
Before cooking you may need to prep the fish to ensure the tastiest, most tender results. Here's what to do.
Mahi Mahi Recipes
Food Network Kitchen’s Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mojo, as seen on Food Network.

Overview
The mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. Also widely called dorado (not to be confused with Salminus brasiliensis, a fresh water fish) and dolphin, it is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are …
Nomenclature
The name mahi-mahi comes from the Hawaiian language and means "very strong", through the process of reduplication. By chance in Persian, mahi (ماهی) means fish, but the word mahi in Hawaiian has nothing to do with the Persian language. Though the species is also referred to as the common dolphinfish, the use of "dolphin" can be misleading as they are not related to dolphins; see Coryphaena for the possible etymologies of "dolphinfish". In parts of the Pacific and along th…
Description
Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and a single long-based dorsal fin extending from the head almost to the tail. Mature males have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body proper. Females have a rounded head. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors - golden on the sides, and bright blues and greens on the sides …
Recreational fishing
Mahi-mahi are highly sought for sport fishing and commercial purposes. Sport fishermen seek them due to their beauty, size, food quality, and healthy population. Mahi-mahi can be found in the Caribbean Sea, on the west coast of North and South America, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast of Florida and West Africa, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Tahiti, and many other places worldwide.
Commercial fishing
The United States and the Caribbean countries are the primary consumers of this fish, but many European countries are increasing their consumption every year. It is a popular food fish in Australia, usually caught and sold as a byproduct by tuna and swordfish commercial fishing operators. Japan and Hawaii are significant consumers. The Arabian Sea, particularly the coast of Oman, also has mahi-mahi. At first, mahi-mahi were mostly bycatch in the tuna and swordfish lon…
Environmental and food safety concerns
Depending on how it is caught, mahi-mahi is classed differently by various sustainability rating systems:
• The Monterey Bay Aquarium classifies mahi-mahi, when caught in the US Atlantic, as a best choice, the top of its three environmental-impact categories. The aquarium advises to avoid imported mahi-mahi harvested by long line, bu…
Further reading
• Atlantic mahimahi NOAA FishWatch. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
• Pacific mahimahi NOAA FishWatch. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
External links
• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2004). "Coryphaena hippurus" in FishBase. October 2004 version.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium's Regional Seafood Watch
• Blue Ocean Institute's Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood
Description
Distribution and Habitat
- Mahi-mahi can be found throughout the world, particularly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. They are commonly observed in Hawaii, throughout Central America and Mexico, as well as much of the Indian Ocean. They are epipelagic, spending most of their time offshore and relatively near the surface. Although they are known to dive to dept...
Diet and Predators
- Mahi-mahi are predatory fish. They rely on their speed and their large mouths to capture various prey species including small fish. They will also hunt cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish as well as various crustaceans. Juveniles in particular are also known to feed on zooplankton, small animals floating the oceans at the whim of the currents. In turn, mahi-mahi are also on the men…
Reproduction and Life Cycle
- Mahi-mahi is a fast-growing species, with both females and males normally reaching sexual maturity within their first year of life. The spawning season typically occurs two or three times per year, with females producing anywhere between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs during each spawning season. During these periods, females will release tens of thousands of eggs every few days unt…
Conservation Status
- Traditionally treated as bycatch in other fisheries such as tuna, mahi-mahi is now a popular commercial and sport fishery target. Due perhaps in part to their fast growth rate, current mahi-mahi stocks are believed to be relatively strong and sustainable. As a result, the species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.