Coryphaena hippurus
common dolphinfish
(Also: dolphin)

Tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. (Benetti, Brill, and Kraul, 1995)

In pelagic regions, Coryphaena hippurus is commonly found near floating objects, apparently because its prey seek refuge under the objects (Palko, et al. 1982).

The dolphin fish is a top predator in the Atlantic Sargassum. Common Sargassum fauna, such as members of the Balistidae, Carangidae, and crabs (Decapoda), have been found in the stomachs of dolphin fishes caught there (Beardsley, 1967).

Though it is most frequently found in tropical waters, Coryphaena hippurus has been detected and studied as far north as Ireland (Quigley, 1996). (Beardsley, 1967; Palko, Beardsley, and Richards, 1982; Quigley and Flannery, 1996)

Coryphaena hippurus has a long, slender, tapered body specialized for swimming at high speeds. It has pigmented pelvic fins and bands of pigment laterally on both the body and median fins. There is a square supraorbital region, and the dorsal fin runs nearly to the bright yellow caudal fin. C. hippurus is a bright blue-green dorsally, and yellowish-white with pigments ventrally. Sexual dimorphism is evident, but only noticeable after 6 months of age (Benetti, et al. 1995). Males are physically larger and heavier than females of the same age, and males have a more pronounced neurocranium (Ditty, 1994). Dolphin fish commonly reach 1 meter in length, but can reach up to 2 meters. They usually weight around 14 kg but can weigh more than 30 kg, with a maximum recorded weight of 39.5 kg. (Benetti, Brill, and Kraul, 1995; Ditty et al., 1994)

In captivity (aquaculture), dolphinfish have not been sustained for more than 18 months (Benetti, 1995). In the wild, they are believed to live an average of 2 years, and a maximum of 5 years (Beardsley, 1967). (Beardsley, 1967; Benetti, Iverson, and Ostrowski, 1995; Ditty et al., 1994)

Dolphin are active generalist predators which expend high amounts of energy in epipelagic regions for prey capture. Due to their oxygen needs, dolphin must swim continuously to ventilate their gills. In order to achieve such high gas exchange, dolphin gills have a larger surface area than those of most other teleosts. This contributes to the higher energy expenditure relative to other teleosts. Dolphin grow most rapidly in the wild, often reaching 1 meter in length and a mass of 8 kilograms at the end of the first year. However, in captivity (aquaculture), dolphin grow more slowly and have less streamlined bodies. This is attributed to reduced swimming due to small tanks and high population density (Benetti, et al. 1995).

Intraspecies cannibalism has been observed in some members (Massuti, et al. 1998).

Dolphin observed in the western Mediterranean are visual generalist predators, and hence feed primarily during the day, when adequate sunlight is available. They feed on teleosts, cephalopods, and crustaceans, with a positive correlation between dolphin size and prey size (Massuti, et al. 1998).

In captivity, dolphin fed a similar diet to that found in the wild (fish, squid, etc.) grow more slowly than those in the wild, but more rapidly than those fed with protein-rich food pellets in captivity (Benetti, 1995).

C. hippurus is one of the most popular sportfish globally. Because it is prized for its meat as well, it is harvested commercially both in the wild and via aquaculture

(Benetti, 1995).

Dolphin grows rapidly in captivity, with low mortality, which has allowed for hatcheries and farms throughout the world (Morgan, et al. 1996; Lee, 1997).

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Due to recent advancements in larval rearing via prolonged research, dolphin aquaculture presents a potentially lucrative and abundant source of food for humans, and reduces the chance of commercial and sport overfishing in the wild. (Lee, 1997)