Pompano dolphinfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pompano dolphinfish |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Family: | Coryphaenidae |
| Genus: | Coryphaena |
| Species: |
C. equiselis
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| Binomial name | |
| Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758
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The pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) is a cool fish that lives in the ocean's surface waters. You can find them in warm, tropical, and subtropical areas around the world. They are one of only two types of fish in their family, called Coryphaenidae. The other one is the famous mahi-mahi, also known as the common dolphinfish.
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About the Pompano Dolphinfish
Pompano dolphinfish usually live for about three to four years. People sometimes confuse them with young mahi-mahi because they look similar. However, pompano dolphinfish are a bit smaller. They can grow up to about 127 centimeters (50 inches) long.
What They Look Like
These fish have a unique shape. Their heads are quite flat on the sides, and their dorsal fin (the one on their back) runs almost the entire length of their body. Older male pompano dolphinfish develop a slightly bumpy forehead, but it's not as big as the forehead you see on male mahi-mahi.
Their colors are amazing! Their backs are a bright blue-green, and their sides shine with a silvery-golden color. But here's a sad fact: when they are taken out of the water, their beautiful colors quickly fade to a dull green-grey.
Not a Mammal!
It's important to know that even though they are called "dolphinfish," they are not related to the marine mammals we call dolphins. Those dolphins are smart, air-breathing mammals, while the pompano dolphinfish is a true fish that breathes underwater using gills. The name "dolphinfish" comes from an old connection to the word "dolphin" that meant "fish" in some languages.
What They Eat
Pompano dolphinfish are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their main diet includes small fish and squid. They are active hunters in the open ocean.
Fishing and Food
Pompano dolphinfish are quite popular as a game fish, especially in the waters near South America. This means people enjoy catching them for sport. They are also sometimes eaten. Because they have a firm texture and a sweet taste, they are sometimes used as a substitute for swordfish in meals.
 | Bessie Coleman |
 | Spann Watson |
 | Jill E. Brown |
 | Sherman W. White |
