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Common names:
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Mahimahi (Hawaii), Dolphin fish, Dorado,
pompano
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Maximum weight:
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100 lbs
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I.G.F.A. record:
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88 lbs
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Identifying features:
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One of the most stunningly beautiful
fish in the ocean. The long dorsal fin
is generally black/bright blue with
lavender/cobalt blue/green spots. Upper
body is the brightest green with streaks
of cobalt blue and lavender. Sides can
be green or bright yellow. Lower body
can be silver white or yellow. The color
variations are endless.
Every Mahimahi (C. Hippurus)
you catch you will find some color
variation in some way. These colors fade
in death. The male of the species has a
large blunt head (the graphic above is a
male) while the females head is rounder.
The Pampano (C. Equisetis)
has a tongue which is covered in what
could be called teeth. The Mahimahi is
void of this characteristic. The Pampano
also has fewer dorsal rays; 48 - 55
where the Mahi-Mahi has 55 - 65.
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Temperature range:
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68°F to 86°F
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Breeding:
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One of the quickest growing species in
the ocean and lives for no more than 5
years. Sexual maturity is reached in 4-5
months. Spawns in the open sea and
probably approximate to the coast when
water temperature rises.
This makes it an ideal species for
farming. The Japanese have had great
success with this.
Aqua culture carried out at the Honolulu
Aquarium in Hawaii has also been
extremely successful.
Mahi-Mahi are highly efficient feeders
and convert approximately 90% of what
they eat into body growth. They can grow
from matchstick size to over 6 lbs which
is about 28" in under 6 months! This
growth rate may not be reflected in the
natural world as the fish have to hunt
and capture their food.
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Typical location:
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Highly migratory species. An offshore
species that rarely comes close to
shore. Found in open waters but also
near the coast Mahimahi form schools.
They feed on almost all forms of fish
and zooplankton. Mahi-Mahi also takes
crustaceans and squid.
Is typically found on the continental
shelf and well beyond. This species has
a great affection for current lines that
contain seaweed, flotsam and logs. Any
garbage found floating may hold a school
of varying size fish under it and is
always worth a few passes using light
tackle.
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Fighting characteristics:
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A very fast surface runner that mixes
high acrobatic jumps with rapid changes
in direction.
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