Coryphaena hippurus, better known as the dolphin fish, dorado, lampuka, capone, lampuga, ikan lemadang, or mahi-mahi, is a species of surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. This fast swimming predatory fish can reach speeds of up to 57.5 mph (92.6 km/h) in pursuit of prey such as flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other forage fish. Mahi mahi are themselves preyed upon by sharks, large tuna, seals, sea lions, porpoises, whales, dolphins, marlin, sailfish, and swordfish. Mahi Mahi reach on average 15 to 30lbs (7 to 13kgs) in weight and around 3.3ft (1m) in length with exceptionally large individuals reach up to 7ft (2.1m) long and 88lbs (39.9 kgs) in weight. Males are typically larger than females. Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and one very long dorsal fin extending from the head almost to the tail fin. Mature males have distinctive "foreheads"; it grows as the fish matures and often protrudes well above the body proper, which is streamlined by the musculature of the back. This "hump" is a sexually dimorphic feature; females have a rounded head. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave. There coloration is golden on the sides, with bright blues and greens on the sides and back, and iridescent blue pectoral fins. Out of the water, the fish often change color (giving rise to their Spanish name, dorado, 'golden'), going through several hues before finally fading to a muted yellow-grey upon death. Spawning occurs in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, with females laying 80,000 and 1,000,000 up to 3 times per year. The young are commonly found in rafts of Sargassum weeds. Mahi mahi are amongst the fastest growing fish on earth reaching sexual maturity in as little as 4 to 5 months. They are also short lived with the oldest known mahi mahi being just 5 years old.
