Tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native ); indian ocean (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native ); pacific ocean (Native )

See Map (including site records) of Distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific

 
Global Endemism: All species, TEP non-endemic, Circumtropical ( Indian + Pacific + Atlantic Oceans), "Transpacific" (East + Central &/or West Pacific), East Pacific + Atlantic (East +/or West), Transisthmian (East Pacific + Atlantic of Central America), East Pacific + all Atlantic (East+West)

Regional Endemism: All species, Eastern Pacific non-endemic, Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) non-endemic, Continent + Island (s), Continent, Island (s)

Residency: Resident

Climate Zone: North Temperate (Californian Province &/or Northern Gulf of California), Northern Subtropical (Cortez Province + Sinaloan Gap), Northern Tropical (Mexican Province to Nicaragua + Revillagigedos), Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo), South Temperate (Peruvian Province )

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.

Range mass: 39.5 (high) kg.

Average mass: 14 kg.

Range length: 2 (high) m.

Average length: 1 m.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; sexes shaped differently

• Marine

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).

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; saltwater or marine

Aquatic Biomes: pelagic ; coastal

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).

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).

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 18 (high) months.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 5 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 2 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 4 years.

Males and females are sexually mature in their first year, usually by 4-5 months old. Spawning can occur at body lengths of 20 cm. Females may spawn two to three times per year, and produce between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs per event.

In waters above 34° C, larvae are found all year, with greater numbers detected in spring and fall. In one study, seventy percent of the youngest larvae collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico were found at a depth greater than 180 meters. Spawning occurs normally in captivity, with 100,000 eggs per event. Problems maintaining salinity, food of adequate nutritional value and proper size, and dissolved oxygen are responsible for larval mortality rates of 20-40% (Lee, 1997).

Breeding interval: Nutritional levels are likely to determine how frequently females can spawn.

Breeding season: In warm waters, spawning can occur year round.

Range number of offspring: 80,000 to 1,000,000.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 12 (high) months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4-5 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 12 (high) months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 4-5 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

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).