What does dolphinfish mean?
The dolphinfish is a large, brilliantly colored marine fish belonging to the genus Coryphaena, native to warm tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. Despite its name, it has no relation to dolphins, which are mammals — the shared name arose because the fish habitually swims alongside ships in much the same way as dolphins do. Dolphinfish are renowned for their dazzling blue-green and golden hues, their remarkable speed, and their acrobatic leaps when hooked, making them a favorite target for sport anglers. They grow quickly and reproduce prolifically, which supports both recreational fishing and substantial commercial harvests. In markets and restaurants the fish is widely sold under its Hawaiian name, mahi-mahi, or its Spanish name, dorado, partly to avoid confusion with the mammal. The plural form is unchanged: two dolphinfish.
Either of two large pelagic fishes of the genus Coryphaena, especially C. hippurus, having brilliant blue-green and gold coloration and inhabiting warm seas worldwide.
"Dolphinfish gather beneath floating debris and seaweed mats across the open ocean."
Plural unchanged: dolphinfish.
The flesh of this fish eaten as food.
"Fresh dolphinfish is best cooked simply over a hot grill."
Like most fish names, the plural is identical to the singular; "dolphinfishes" is rare and generally avoided.
"We spotted a dozen dolphinfish shadowing the boat."
The dolphinfish isn't related to dolphins at all — it got its name from sailors who saw it racing through waves beside them, and it can reach speeds near 50 knots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dolphinfish
The word combines "dolphin," from Latin delphinus and ultimately Greek delphis (from delphys, "womb," reflecting the mammal's live-bearing nature), with "fish." The name was applied to this fish by sailors and fishermen who observed it swimming ahead of vessels alongside dolphins. The Hawaiian name mahi-mahi, meaning "strong-strong," became common internationally in the twentieth century, particularly for marketing the fish's flesh.
How dolphinfish is actually used
In culinary contexts, the Hawaiian name "mahi-mahi" or Spanish "dorado" is often preferred to avoid confusion with the dolphin mammal; the plural is unchanged ("two dolphinfish").
Easily confused with dolphinfish
A dolphin is a marine mammal of the family Delphinidae, whereas the dolphinfish is a true fish — the name refers to its habit of swimming ahead of ships alongside dolphins, not to any biological relationship.