Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Perciformes
(Perch-likes) > Coryphaenidae
Etymology: Coryphaena: Greek, koryphaina = dolphin fish (Ref. 45335). More on author: Linnaeus.
Environment / Climate / Range
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - ? m (Ref. 55203). Subtropical; 24°C - ? (Ref. 26); 48°N - 48°S, 180°W - 180°E (Ref. 55203)
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 22 - ? cm
Max length : 127 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26); common length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2683); max. reported age: 4 years (Ref. 26)
soft rays: 24 - 28;
Vertebrae: 33. Body elongated and compressed, its depth contained less than 4.0 times in standard length (adults); tongue with a wide tooth patch covering 50 to 60 percent of its surface; dorsal fin originating on nape, almost reaching caudal fin, with 48 to 55 rays; anterior distal edge of anal fin convex; pectoral fins located near middle of head; body shiny blue green, changing to gray with green tints after death; flanks with golden highlights and numerous diffuse black stains (Ref. 55763). Greatest body depth more than 25% of SL; tooth patch on tongue broad and square; single dorsal fin extending from just behind eye almost to caudal fin, with 52-59 rays; a convex anal fin extending from anus almost to caudal fin; pectoral fin about half of head length (Ref. 10948). Caudal vertebrae usually 20. (Ref. 10998). Color in life brilliant metallic blue-green dorsally, fading to grey with green tinge upon death; sides silvery with golden sheen and spots; dorsal fin dark; juveniles with entire caudal fin margin white. Head profile of large adults (30-200 cm.) becomes vertical with the development of bony crest, but more in males.
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Frequently misidentified as juvenile or female of Coryphaena hippurus. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).
Primarily an oceanic species but may enter coastal waters (Ref. 9293). Usually forms schools. Follows boats and may be found under floating objects (Ref. 9293). Feeds on small fishes and squid (Ref. 9293). Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6755). Marketed fresh and considered an excellent food fish (Ref. 5288). An important game fish in northern South America (Ref. 5217).
Palko, B.J., G.L. Beardsley and W.J. Richards, 1982. Synopsis of the biological data on dolphin-fishes, Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus and Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus. FAO Fish. Synop. (130); NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ. (443). (Ref. 26)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Threat to humans
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: experimental; gamefish: yes
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805
= 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01950 (0.01187 - 0.03204), b=2.89 (2.74 - 3.04), based on LWR estimates for species & Subfamily-body shape (Ref. 93245
Trophic Level (Ref. 69278
): 4.5 ±0.60 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref. 69278
): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=4).
Vulnerability (Ref. 59153
): Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100) .