Great Hammerhead Shark vs Mahi-mahi
Sphyrna mokarran compared with Coryphaena hippurus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Great Hammerhead Shark | Mahi-mahi |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphyrna mokarran | Coryphaena hippurus |
| Order | Carcharhiniformes | Carangiformes |
| Family | Sphyrnidae | Coryphaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Great Hammerhead Shark | Mahi-mahi |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 610.0 cm | 210.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 580.0 kg | 40.0 kg |
| Color | Brownish-gray to olive-gray dorsal surface with a clean countershaded white belly; no distinct patterning; first dorsal fin is tall and strongly falcate; pelvic fin tips dusky. | Dazzling iridescent blue-green and gold flanks; males have a blunt squared-off head; flanks flicker golden-yellow to electric blue when alive, fading to dull gray-green at death. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Great Hammerhead Shark | Mahi-mahi |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 1-300m | 0-85m |
| Geographic Range | Circumtropical in warm coastal and offshore waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Concentrates around coral reefs, continental shelf edges, and deep-water drop-offs; population … | Worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceanic waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Highly pelagic; gathers around floating sargassum mats, current lines, and thermocline … |
| Habitat | Neritic | Neritic, pelagic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Great Hammerhead Shark | Mahi-mahi |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Great Hammerhead Shark
Critically Endangered — consumption strongly discouraged. Fins are historically traded but the species faces severe population decline; eating this fish is ecologically irresponsible.
Mahi-mahi
Firm, slightly sweet flesh with large, moist flakes and low fat. Excellent grilled, blackened Cajun-style, or in tacos; one of the most popular sport fish for the table.
Species Overview
Great Hammerhead Shark
The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine hammerhead shark species. Its distinctive cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) houses an array of electroreceptors that allow it to detect stingrays buried beneath the sand.
Mahi-mahi
The mahi-mahi, also known as dorado or dolphinfish, is among the most colorful pelagic fish in the ocean. Its iridescent blue, green, and gold body fades rapidly after death. It is a fast-growing species, rarely living beyond five years.