Marine Life

Pompano dolphinfish

Aila

Coryphaena equiselis

Coryphaena equiselis is much rarer than C. hippurus, but they are so similar that they have likely been confused with one another. C. hippurus has a more elongated body, with its pectoral fin being longer than half its head length, and being less than 25% of its standard length.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 50 cm; max. 75 cm
color: Back metallic blue-green in life. Grey after death. Sides silvery with black spots. Juveniles with white edged caudal fin.
order: Perciformes
family: Coryphaenidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/coryphaena-equiselis.png
habitat and biology: This species of pelagic fish is likely similar to C. hippuris in that it follows ships and congregates in groups. It can be found in open waters, but also comes close to shorelines. Its diet consists of small fish and squid.
distinctive characters: The typical features of this species include a single dorsal fin with 52-59 rays, an anal fin with 23-29 rays, a pectoral fin with 18-21 rays, a body depth greater than 25% of its standard length, and an anal fin with a convex outline, which is approximately half the length of its head.