| Mahi-Mahi or Dorado |
Catherine Krantz
Mahi-Mahi, Dorado, Coryphaena hippurus
Once only a by-catch in the tuna/swordfish long lining industry, dolphin fish—not to be confused with porpoises who are often called dolphins—were first introduced to the US market by way of Hawaii. The Hawaiian word for dolphin fish is mahi-mahi, which mean “strong-strong”, and that is the term you will most commonly find on menus in the US. Here in Mexico, dolphin fish are called dorado, which in Spanish means golden and is a reference to its beautiful bright gold and green iridescent color.
Found in all tropical and sub tropical waters, dorado are an acrobatic fish that have become very popular with sport fishermen. From as small as a few pounds up to 50 or 60 lbs for a mature male or bull dorado. They are distinctive looking with bright colors and the bulls have a large hump on their head. They are predators and are as they say “at the top of the food chain”. They eat everything from flying fish to crabs, shrimp, squid, mackerel, and other smaller fish. In the winters they migrate south and are being increasingly fished commercially throughout Latin America from Peru to Costa Rica, with Ecuador accounting for 40% of the world’s production of dorado. Japanese commercial fishermen account for more than 50% of the world’s catch of dorado. Seemingly plentiful in the waters around Zihuatanejo, the true abundance (or lack thereof) of dorado has never been scientifically studied and as yet no one is exactly sure how many there are. The dorado does grow and mature quickly and thus can probably withstand concentrated fishing. But dorado is often caught on pelagic longlines, a method which has great problems with bycatch. The troll-caught dorado of sportfishing is a more eco-friendly alternative.
They are considered excellent to eat with a firm white meat and delicate flavor. Broiled, grilled, fried or baked, dorado is wonderful any way you cook it. Better when fresh and cooked only until just done, when the meat is flaky and not too dry. Here you can find dorado on menus in a wide assortment, as filets, steaks, marinated in lime or in fish tacos. Dolphin fish, dorado or mahi-mahi, anyway you call it you can find it here.
February 2003
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