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Fish4Life provides everything you need to enjoy seafood responsibly. Explore information and practical tips for safe and sustainable seafood consumption, and help protect marine life by reporting undersized or illegally traded seafood.

Mahi mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Κυνηγός-Δελφινόψαρο-Λαπόλδα

Sustainability Status

Key predator controlling invasive pufferfish

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Fishstocks – Declining due to overexploitation
Bad choice –Consumption of this species is unsustainable

Legal

Minimum Size

–

Prohibited Consumption Period

–

Sustainable

Minimum Size

56 cm

Avoid Consumption Period

Year round

Advice for Consumption

Do Not Consume

For the time being, it is recommended to avoid consuming this species, as it is one of the few natural predators of invasive pufferfish (Lagocephalus spp.). Greek legislation does not establish a minimum landing size or a closed season for this species, leaving both juvenile and spawning fish completely unprotected.

The populations of this species are overfished. By choosing not to consume it, you can help its populations recover while supporting one of the few natural predators that help control invasive pufferfish (Lagocephalus spp.).

Common names

FR

Coryphène

it

Lampuga

es

Lampuga

tr

Dorado

pt

Dourado

nl

Goudmakreel

de

Goldmakrele

toxicity

This species is safe to consume.

iucn info

Least concern (LC)

Description

Has a very caracteristic rounded and blunt forehead. It only has on dorsal fin that goes all the way back to its tale base. Small pelvic, pectoral and anal fins with a lunate caudal fin. Yellow, green and blue coloration depending on the region but it fades quickly after its removed from the water.

It looks like Coryphaena equiselis (Pompano dolphinfish), smaller that the Mahi mahi. It has a less blunt forehead and an overall golden/yellow colour.

Did you know?

The Mahi mahi is a very fast swimmer, reaching speeds of up to 92 km/h.

Ecological Aspects

Diet

Carnivorous.
Feeds on all forms of fish and zooplankton, crustaceans, and squid.

habitat

Pelagic.
Mostly found in open waters but also near the coast, forms schools.

Max size & depth range

Max length: 210 cm
Max weight: 40 kg
Depth range: 0-85 m

breeding & Growth

Gonochoric (seperate sexes).
Spawns in open ocean year round depending on ocean temperates but in the Mediterranean they spawn from June through October.
Growth rate: Fast (k = 1.100 yr⁻¹).

Longevity & presence

Lifespan: 3-4 years
Max reported age: 5 years
Distribution: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian ocean.

appearance changes

This fish shows iridescent metallic blues and greens dorsally, golden sides, and a white‑yellow belly, with scattered dark spots and golden blotches along the lateral line. When stressed or removed from the water, it rapidly shifts from these bright hues to a dull grey due to specialized, nerve‑controlled chromatophores that alter light reflection.

Reproductive Cycle

Egg count: 58,000-1.5 million eggs
Reproductive frequency: Numerous times during the spawning season.
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Good choice – Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable

Illegal species – Fishing, selling and consumption of this species is illegal

Fishstocks – Declining due to overexploitation

Think before you eat – This species faces increasing pressures and should only be consumed responsibly

Bad choice – Consumption of this species is unsustainable

Health concerns –
Can accumulate dangerously high levels of toxic substances harmful to health

Alien / Invasive – This species is not from this region and can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and threaten local biodiversity, so it is sustainable to eat

Aquafarms – You will commonly find this species coming from aquafarms