Represented by a single species, the fish is more common on the east coast, but generally widely distributed. As their name implies, they are a bright golden colour in life which fades rapidly on death. Highly regarded as sportsfish by anglers, dorado leap spectacularly when hooked. Their other name dolphino or dolphinfish often leads to confusion with the various species of dolphin which are of course marine mammals. In Hawaii they are known as mahi-mahi.
Dorado or Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus
Female elongate and compressed; male develops prominent bony crest on head. Spectacular gold colouration with large blue spots on sides and long dorsal fin. Oceanic, pelagic, offshore often in shade around anchored oil tankers. Predator mainly on fish and cuttlefish. The brilliant colouration which gives this fish its ‘golden’ name, fades rapidly with death, to an overall silver-grey. 200 cm.