Pompano dolphinfish
| Pompano dolphinfish | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Coryphaenidae |
| Genus: | Coryphaena |
| Species: | C. equiselis |
| Binomial name | |
| Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758 |
|
The pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) is a species of surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in tropical and subtropical waters. They are one of only two members of the Coryphaenidae family, the other being the mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish.
Pompano dolphinfish have a lifespan of three to four years. They are often mistaken for juvenile mahi-mahi; they are somewhat smaller than their mahi-mahi cousins, never exceeding 127 cm in length. Pompano dolphinfish have compressed heads and long dorsal fins extending the entire length of their bodies. Their backs are a brilliant blue-green, and their sides are a silvery-golden color. Mature males develop a protruding forehead, but not to the same extent as male mahi-mahi. When they are removed from the water, the fish fade to a muted green-grey upon death.
Pompano dolphinfish are carnivorous, feeding on small fish and squid.
Pompano dolphinfish are popular as a game fish in the waters off South America, and are sometimes eaten as a substitute for swordfish because of their firm texture and sweet flavor.
[edit] References
- "Coryphaena equiselis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168792. Retrieved 19 March 2006.
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2004). "Coryphaena equiselis" in FishBase. October 2004 version.
