Coryphaena

Coryphaena
Mahi-mahi (C. hippurus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Coryphaenidae
Rafinesque, 1810
Genus: Coryphaena
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Coryphaena hippurus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text.

Coryphaena (also known as the dolphinfish) is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes known as the dolphinfishes. This genus is currently the only known genus in its family. The species in this genus have compressed heads and single dorsal fins that run the entire length of the fishes' bodies. Dolphinfishes are some of the fastest-growing species in the ocean, so serve as a primary food source for many pelagic predators. The dolphinfish can reach up to about 88 pounds (40 kg).

Dolphinfishes are unrelated to dolphins (which are mammals) and their meat is often labeled mahi-mahi commercially to reduce possible public confusion. The origin of the name "dolphinfish" is uncertain, but theories include that dolphinfish communicate using high-pitched sounds similar to a dolphin,[1] because they are about the size of a small dolphin,[2] or due to dorado (Spanish for "golden") having been purportedly used historically in Spanish for both dolphins (normally delfín) and dolphinfish.[3]

Species

The currently recognized species in this genus are:[4]


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Why Is Mahi Mahi Called a Dolphin? - Lesson.Website". 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  2. ↑ "Dolphinfish Facts". whalefacts.org. 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  3. ↑ "Mahi-Mahi / Dolphins vs. real Dolphins - Straight Dope Message Board". 2002-12-19. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  4. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2013). Species of Coryphaena in FishBase. April 2013 version.
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