Mahi-mahi

ID points

• The male's forehead rises steep and tall, as if cut off flat
• Flanks golden green with blue spots, the colour fading fast out of the water
• The dorsal fin runs from behind the head all the way to the tail base

Basics

Family

Coryphaenidae

Length

80–150 cm

Depth

0-85 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Open ocean

Distribution

Open ocean in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide

Habitat

Open ocean, surface waters

Diet

Flying fish, squid

Easily confused with

FusilierBlue back and white belly, tail fin often tipped with blackTrevallyDeep, flattened body; slender tail base with hard keeled scutesTunaSpindle-shaped body; very slender tail base with a lateral keel

Fun fact

A living Mahi-mahi flashes with blue, green and gold all over, one of the most brilliantly coloured fishes in the sea. Once it dies the colour drains away within minutes and it fades to a dull grey-white.