Mahi-mahi
| Mahi-mahi | |
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| Species: | C. hippurus
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| Binomial name | |
| Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758
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The mahi-mahi (in Hawaiian), Coryphaena hippurus, also known as dolphin or dorado, calitos, maverikos, or lampuki (in Maltese) are surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are one of only two members of the Coryphaenidae family, the other being the Pompano dolphin. Called by the common name, dolphin, the mahi-mahi is a fish, and is not closely related to the Delphinidae family of mammals correctly referred to by the common name, dolphin. Although many ignorant people believe it is a dolphin-FISH, its real origin is the mammal, dolphin, coming from the latin name, delphinus. Confusion over the spelling of this name derives from the Hawaiian word, mahi-mahi, being adopted into the English language in a variety of forms. The American Heritage Dictionary, fourth edition, cites the preferred spelling (occurring “more frequently”) as the hyphenated mahi-mahi. The secondary spelling is the single word, mahimahi, with the identical Hawaiian word given as the derivational source. But the Random House Webster’s Unabridged, second edition, offers the reverse of this preference order, with the single word being preferred to the hyphenated version, as does the OED (2000 draft entry).
General characteristics
Mahi-mahi have a lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Catches average 7 to 13 kg (15 to 28 pounds). They seldom exceed 15 kg (33 pounds), and any mahi-mahi over 18 kg (39 pounds) is exceptional. Mahi-mahi lives at a little under 1,000 feet.
Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending almost the entire length of their bodies. Their anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors: golden on the sides, bright blues and greens on the sides and back. Males and female have similar shaped bodies except for their heads. Mature males have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body proper. Females have a rounded head. Females are also usually smaller than males.
When they are removed from the water, the fish often change color among several hues (this being the reason for their Spanish name, Dorado Maverikos), finally fading to a muted yellow-grey upon death.
Mahi-mahi are among the fastest-growing fish. They are fast swimmers as well, with a top swimming speed of 50 knots. Mahi-mahi spawn in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and its young are commonly found in seaweed.
Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other small fish. They have also been known to eat zooplankton and crustaceans.
As food, mahi-mahi have a chicken-like taste and texture.
Capture
Mahi-mahi are highly sought for game fishing and commercial purposes. Game fishery is popular due to their beauty. Mahi-mahi have become popular as a dish in many restaurants.
The South Asian country of Malasia uses the mahi-mahi as a source of entertainment, as it has been scientifically proven that the fish has an above average brain mass than other fish, as such, the mahi-mahi can be taught very simple tricks, such as recognition of coloured balls, following the finger of the trainer and twisting 180 degrees inside their tank. Such behaviour can be exhibited in some other fish, however the mahi-mahi is the only such fish known in the Caribbean.
Location
Mahi-mahi can be found in the Caribbean Sea, on the west coast of North and South America, the Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Asia and many other places worldwide.
The United States and the Caribbean countries are the primary consumers of mahi-mahi products, but many European countries are increasing their consumption every year.
Japan is a strong consumer as well. Hawaii has both a mahi-mahi fishery and is a consumer.
The Arabian Sea is also a great place to catch mahi-mahi, particularly the coast of Oman. At first, most mahi-mahi were a by-catch (incidental catch) in the tuna/swordfish longline fishery. Now they are sought after by commercial fishermen off the Pacific Coast of Latin America, from Peru to Costa Rica. Recreational anglers also catch mahi-mahi offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to Florida.
Florida Keys mahi-mahi fishing is a very popular sport. Mahi-mahi are among the most sought-after offshore fish during summer, and they can be found throughout the Florida Keys. They are a fast-growing species so it would be hard to deplete the fisheries. Fresh mahi-mahi is served in many restaurants in the Florida Keys and Key West.
Fishing charters most likely go out to the edge of the reef in about 120 feet of water and begin looking for floating debris and frigate birds. Mahi-mahi tend to hang out around debris such as floating boards, palm trees and fronds, or Sargasso weed lines.
Sargasso is floating seaweed that sometimes holds a complete eco-system from microscopic creatures to seahorses and baitfish. The frigate birds dive for food accompanying the debris or Sargasso. Other fish may be present in the area. Experienced fishing guides can tell what species are likely around the debris by the birds' behavior.
Thirty- to 50-pound gear is more than adequate for trawling for mahi-mahi. Fly-casters may especially seek frigate birds to find big mahi-mahis and then use a bait-and-switch technique. Ballyhoo or a net full of live pilchards tossed into the water can excite the mahi-mahis into a feeding frenzy. Hookless teaser lures can also be employed in the same manner. After tossing the teasers or live chum, throw the fly to the feeding mahi-mahi. Once on a line, mahi-mahi are fast, flashy and acrobatic, with beautiful blue, yellow, green and even red dots of color.
In French Polynesia, they are caught with a harpoon, using a specifically designed boat, the poti marara, to pursue it, as this fish does not dive. This boat is a powerful motorized V-shaped boat, optimized for high agility and speed, and driven with a stick so that the pilot can hold his harpoon with his right hand.
Environmental and Food Safety Concerns
The Monterey Bay Aquarium classifies the fish, when caught in the US, as a "Good Alternative", the middle of its three categories of their environmental impact to the ocean. The Aquarium advises to "Avoid" imported mahi-mahi.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) classifies mahi-mahi as a "moderate mercury" fish or shellfish (its second lowest of four categories), and suggests eating six servings or less per month.[1]
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) classifies mahi-mahi caught by line/pole in the US as "Eco-Best" in its three-category system [2], but classifies all mahi-mahi caught by longline as only "Eco-OK" or "Eco-Worst" due to longline "high levels [of] bycatch, injuring or killing seabirds, sea turtles and sharks." [3]
Media References
Mahi-mahi, referred to as dorado, are the subject of a significant section of the Yann Martel novel Life of Pi. Martel describes a fight to catch the "writhing mass of pure muscle...with a bulging forehead that speaks of a forceful personality" as "giving me a ride like I imagine a bucking bronco would give a cowboy."
Mahi-mahi are a common catch in the 1991 fish tournament-themed video game The Blue Marlin.
References
External links
- "Coryphaena hippurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 11 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2004). "Coryphaena hippurus" in FishBase. October 2004 version.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium's Regional Seafood Watch Cards
- Blue Ocean Institutes's Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood
- Mahimahi Photographs, Jens Kuhfs Photography
