Mahi-mahi

Of immature fish

The common dolphinfish, also Dolphin Fish ( Coryphaena hippurus. ) Is a fish of the family dolphinfish ( Coryphaenidae ) and belongs to the order Trevally relatives ( Carangiformes ).

Description

The elongated body reaches a length of 130 to 180 centimeters. The writer Zane Grey is said to have 1930 caught a 57- pound bluefish in Tahiti, the official world record is 39.46 kg. Average weigh the fish about 15 pounds, the females are usually smaller.

The body is laterally compressed and has small, round, smooth scales. The head has a protruding lower jaw and a high, almost vertical sloping forehead with a sharp keel. The forehead of the males is always higher over the years. The small, curved, pointed teeth are not only in the jaw, but also in the palatine bone and vomer.

On the back there is only one, 58-66 soft rays based dorsal fin that extends from the neck almost to the tail. The sting rays are stunted. The anal fin is shorter and is supported 25 to 31 soft rays. The pectoral fins are short and crescent- shaped, the ventral fins may be partially recovered in grubigen depressions on the abdomen. The caudal fin is forked long and deep.

The common dolphinfish is at the top of bright blue-green, lighter on the sides, silvery white on the belly. On the head and back, there are some blue polka dots. The dorsal fin is bluish purple, the other fins bluish, the caudal fin yellow. The surface often has alternating purple and golden reflexes. Add excitement sometimes dark transverse bands on the back are visible. The colors fade quickly but when the fish is caught and comes out of the water.

Behavior

The species occurs in epipelagic tropical and subtropical seas before, but nowhere common. In autumn it is also found in the Mediterranean. She lives alone or in small flocks. The food form various surface fish, crabs and squid next. With preference the common dolphinfish chasing flying fish. When hunting, it can reach a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, making it one of the fastest fish. In addition, they can jump up to six feet out of the water in pursuit of the flying fish.

The female lays about 500,000 eggs. The young fish are quergebändert particularly slim and often. The characteristic head shape is not yet pronounced. The common dolphinfish is considered an excellent food fish and their fishing is popular with many sport fishermen.