Dolphin

[Sam]

Dolphin
Coryphaena hippurus
"aka Dorado, Mahi-Mahi (meaning strong), Dolphin fish and Lampuka"

Description: The Dolphin is a very fish colorful with bright green or blue and yellow. You may also see dark vertical strips. These fish can change colors when excited or feeding. They have small dark spots pepper their sides. In males the head is blunt where the female has a more rounded profile. The mouth contains many small teeth as well as a small and oval-shaped tooth patch on the tongue. The dolphin have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending almost the entire length of their bodies. The body depth of the dolphin fish is less than 25% of its standard length, unlike the Pompano Dolphinfish whose body depth is greater than 25%. Their anal fins are sharply concave. The pectoral fins are half the length of the head. When the dolphin are young they have well-defined alternating dark and light bars vertically placed on the sides of the body that continue onto the dorsal and anal fins.

Similar Fish: Pompano Dolphin

Where Found: The Dolphin prefer warmer water and can be found in
Florida waters and traveling as far North as Massachusetts in the summer. Dolphins appreciate floating objects in offshore waters such as boards, rope and other debris They will also hide in and eat brown alga (sargussum).

Size: The male Dolphin (bull) is larger than the female with the largest weighing over 80 pounds. They travel in groups ranging from one pound to 20 pounds. The dolphin fish has been known to reach a maximum length of six feet.

USA Record: 74 lbs. 6 oz. in South Carolina by angler W.C. Etheredge in 1994

World Record: 88 lbs. Exuma, Bahamas

Bait used: Try using natural baits such as ballhoo and artificial lures such as spoons, feathers etc.

Tactics to catch: The favorite method and seemingly the most productive way to catch Dolphin is by trolling. Tackle choices are a reel with a #20-30 drag, a standup rod compatible rod that is 5 1/2 -6 foot rod using 20-30# monofilament line. Trolling between six and eight knots, being careful to make sure the baits stay in the water, is the best speed.

Climate (water temperature range): The Dolphin prefers water above 70 degrees F.

Spawning habits: The Dolphin reach sexual maturity in four to five months (three months for captive fish) and spawning first occurs at body lengths of approximately eight inches. Multiple spawnings occur each year in both males and females. Dolphin spawn in pairs. It is believed that spawning occurs in the summer. The larvae hatch at approximately 4mm total length and reach a length of 5.7 mm within four days. At 15 days, the larvae are approximately 15 mm long. They begin to look like adults and their eyes and mouths are fully developed. They grow very fast and their life expectancy is approximately three to four years.

Table food? Mild and flavorful firm white meat can be served as an entree or appetizer. Great for broiling, poaching, baking, sauteing, grilling, pan-frying and marinating.

Consumption Concerns: There are reports of humans being poisoned by ciguatera when consuming this fish. This poison is a bio-accumulation of ciguatoxins in the flesh of tropical marine fishes that have ingested dinoflagellates attached to marine algae. This poison causes gastrointestinal problems in humans. There is a general weakness in their arms and legs. There is a concern regarding the reversal of ability in discerning hot from cold and these symptoms are serious and may persist for weeks.

Feeding habits: The Dolphin's diet consists of flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel and other small fish. They will also eat crustaceans and zooplankton.

Remarks: The Dolphin is a great game fish with strong runs, spectacular jumps and is a real stubborn fighter. The dolphin's life span is only three to four years. When the fish are caught and being removed from the water they often change colors finally fading to a muted grayish-yellow when they die. Because they have scales they are considered kosher. Dolphins can swim at top speeds of 50 knots. Dolphins are not to be confused with the warm-blooded mammal porpoises (protected by law). The skin of a Dolphin is strong and has been used to make trolling lure skirts. When it is wet it becomes soft no matter how old it is it will still have the original feel and smell.

References: Wikipedia
Sea Grant-University of Delaware
Sea-Ex
Florida Museum of Natural History
San Francisco State University of Geography

[RACN35]