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.
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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.
Which ocean does the mahi-mahi reside in?
Distribution, Population, and Habitat This fish species lives in saltwater and makes its habitat in temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. It is most common around Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Indian Ocean.
Is mahi-mahi a freshwater fish?
The mahi-mahi is a saltwater fish that makes its home in both tropical to subtropical waters, most commonly in water above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In tropical areas they live year round, but in more temperate water they are seasonal, and show up when the water is warm.
Do mahi-mahi live in the Gulf of Mexico?
Mahi can be found swimming around the Gulf of Mexico throughout the springs months and into summer. May and June as particularly hot. You'll also want to make sure you choose the right time of day.
How far offshore do you have to go to catch mahi?
10 miles offshoreThe best times to catch Mahi Mahi in Florida are during the spring and summer months. From April to October you can find this migratory fish hanging out in the Atlantic Ocean just less than 10 miles offshore. Mahi mahi can range anywhere up to 63 inches, and they usually weigh around 30 pounds.
Is mahi mahi a Mercury?
Mahi Mahi is considered to have low to moderate mercury levels, on average. What is this? The FDA measured an average of 0.178 PPM (parts per million) of mercury in Mahi Mahi, on average.
Is mahi mahi healthy?
Fresh Mahi Mahi from Pucci Foods is also an excellent source of several vitamins, amino acids, and fish oil. Combined, Mahi Mahi is a delicious serving of succulent protein that helps the body reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, fight inflammation, and maintain healthy functions.
Which is healthier salmon or mahi mahi?
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 in the tuna family?
Is mahi-mahi tuna? Mahi-mahi is not tuna. These two species are from different families and therefore have significantly different tastes, textures, and appearances. Tuna are mostly blue and silver, whereas mahi-mahi can be identified by their bright green and yellow colors.
Is there mahi mahi in Florida?
Mahi Mahi Fishing Locations The biggest fish are usually caught off northeast Florida, my personal favorite place to target pelagic species in the spring and fall. You can't miss mahi mahi fishing out of Port Canaveral, St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach, or out of Amelia Island.
Can you catch Mahi in Texas?
The mahi mahi fishing in Texas is unique because it varies from location to location along the coast. The southern coast of Texas has warmer water temperatures that create a longer peak season to catch mahi mahi. With warm waters and a long peak season, Texas is an ideal place to target mahi mahi.
Where can I find Mahi in Florida Gulf?
3:446:14Mahi Fishing Tips: Gulf Coast Mahi (With Capt. Dylan Hubbard)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut primarily they are a late spring to early fall fish in our area. And throughout most of the GulfMoreBut primarily they are a late spring to early fall fish in our area. And throughout most of the Gulf Coast. Whether that's Texas Louisiana all those areas. But it's more common in the southern Gulf.
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.
Biology
Mahi-mahi thrive in the waters around the Hawaiian, Japanese and Indonesian archipelgos, in addition to the coasts of Central and South America, the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.
Threats
Mahi-mahi are highly sought game fish due to both their beauty and fighting ability.
Buying, Cooking, and Recipes
Cookbook author and freelance food writer with award-winning recipes. He has an expertise in fish and seafood.
What Is Mahi-Mahi?
Mahi-mahi ( Coryphaena hippurus) is a versatile fish that produces excellent results using just about any cooking method. It is relatively small, rarely exceeding 30 pounds. It prefers the warm waters of the South Pacific, Mediterranean, and Caribbean (though it also swims the Atlantic Ocean), and has a short life cycle of four to five years.
How to Cook Mahi-Mahi
You can cook mahi-mahi just about any way you like, but remember it is a lean fish, so take care not to overcook it, or it will dry out. Depending on the thickness, it will only need about three to four minutes per side.
What Does Mahi-Mahi Taste Like?
Mahi-mahi has mild, sweet flesh that looks pinkish but turns white as it cooks. It is rather lean, firm, and compact (not flaky), but it is also quite delicate, moist, and flavorful.
Mahi-Mahi vs. Halibut
Mahi-mahi can best be compared to halibut because of its firm, compact, translucent flesh, but there are many differences. Halibut, a member of the flounder family, is a flatfish, whereas mahi-mahi is not. While mahi-mahi is a fairly small fish that rarely weighs more than 25 pounds, halibut can easily exceed 500 pounds.
Where to Buy Mahi-Mahi
The best place to buy fresh mahi-mahi is at a seafood purveyor or supermarket fish department with good suppliers and high turnover.
Storing Mahi-Mahi
Fresh mahi-mahi can be tightly wrapped in plastic and stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator for two to three days. Mahi-mahi freezes well and will keep for several months if properly packaged and bagged.
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.

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.