Mahi-mahi vs Red Lionfish
Coryphaena hippurus compared with Pterois volitans
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Mahi-mahi | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coryphaena hippurus | Pterois volitans |
| Order | Carangiformes | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family | Coryphaenidae | Scorpaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Mahi-mahi | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 210.0 cm | 38.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 40.0 kg | 1.1 kg |
| Color | 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. | White to cream body with alternating bold reddish-brown and white vertical bands; fan-like pectoral fins are banded with red-brown and white spots; long dorsal spines are striped and venomous. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Mahi-mahi | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-85m | 2-55m |
| Geographic Range | 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 … | Native to the Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Australia, and the Marquesas. Invasive in the western Atlantic and Caribbean … |
| Habitat | Neritic, pelagic, coral reefs | Neritic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Mahi-mahi | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | 7/10 | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
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.
Red Lionfish
Sweet, buttery white flesh once spines are safely removed; increasingly promoted as a sustainable food source in Atlantic waters where it is an invasive species.
Species Overview
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.
Red Lionfish
The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific. Its ornate, striped body and fan-like pectoral fins make it popular in aquariums, but it has become a destructive invasive species in the western Atlantic and Caribbean.