| Dophinfishes are elongate compressed fishes with rounded head profiles and long dorsal and anal fins. Their dorsal fins start above the head and extend almost to the tail fin. The anal fin starts about mid-body and also extends almost to the tail fin. They are beautifully colored when live, and can rapidly change their colors depending on their mood. Adult males develop a bony crest on their forehead creating an almost vertical head profile. Dolphinfishes are important in both recreational and commercial fisheries. They are prized for their great fighting ability and strength when hooked and for their lean white firm flesh. In restaurants and other seafood places they are marketed as "mahi-mahi", which means "strong" in Hawaiian. There are only 2 species in this family, and they both occur off Texas. |
