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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Common dolphinfish: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Coryphaena hippurus

Common dolphinfish is a pelagic fish of warm waters. This sheet describes Coryphaena hippurus; it does not transfer methods from tuna or from the other dolphinfish species.

Catalogue names : Coryphène. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters ; tropical and subtropical Indian Ocean waters ; tropical and subtropical Pacific waters.

  • Documented presence : tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters
  • Documented presence : tropical and subtropical Indian Ocean waters
  • Documented presence : tropical and subtropical Pacific waters

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

An elongated compressed body, very long dorsal fin and forked tail characterise Coryphaena hippurus. Adult males develop a high forehead; colour alone does not identify the species.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical Atlantic, Indian and Pacific waters, offshore and sometimes near the coast.

Diet

Fish, crustaceans, squid and other zooplankton organisms.

Behaviour

It forms schools in open water. Encounters beneath floating objects are reported, without guaranteeing regular presence; do not add litter or a device to attract fish.

Indicative biological size

50–100 cm common size in the consulted FAO sheet; this is neither a maximum nor a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

CNR describes casting surface lures for Coryphaena hippurus; Guillaume Fourrier mentions poppers and recommends a soft-tipped rod held low while retrieving the fish. Indicative adaptation from a boat where fishing is permitted: locate an active school without charging into it, cast a popper nearby after checking other people’s positions, then retrieve it with a surface action. Adjust cadence and direction to observed reactions; no optimal speed is claimed. On a take, maintain steady tension and let the drag absorb runs; do not try to lift a jumping fish. Prepare pliers and landing equipment before casting. CNR warns that dolphinfish thrash violently out of water: avoid repeatedly catching small fish and favour unhooking in the water when possible and safe, following general NOAA recommendations. Never gaff a fish intended for release; keep hands away from hooks, eyes and gills. In French Mediterranean waters, check applicable registration and catch declarations before the trip; these are distinct from permission to fish.

A distinctive feature

Its eggs and larvae are pelagic, in open water.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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