Dolphin

Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS
Coryphaena hippurus

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Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with  capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers  sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides;  anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping;  the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin  concave and extending from anus to tail.

Similar Fish: pompano dolphin, C. equisetis. The pompano  dolphin has squarish tooth patch on tongue (oval tooth patch on dolphin) and fewer dorsal  rays (48 to 55 versus 55 to 65 on dolphin).

Commonly found in The Dry Tortugas: OFFSHORE weed lines.

Size: up to 30+ pounds.

Florida Record: 77 lbs, 12 ozs.
               

Dry Tortugas Fish Identification


                        Remarks: one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than  5 years; swimming speed is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout  much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid.

Sea-Clusive Charters
Of The Lower Florida Keys

17195 Kingfish Lane West
Sugarloaf Key, Florida 33042

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