Louisiana Foods Fish Fact for:
MAHI-MAHI

The name "MAHI MAHI" was the best thing that ever happened to dolphin fish, a confusing (and politically loaded) moniker for one of the ocean's more delectable fish. The Hawaiian name is misleading, however, because most of the mahi mahi consumed in the United States (including Hawaii) is from Taiwan and Latin America. Japan leads the world in the capture of the species, taking nearly half the annual harvest of some 40,000 tons. Almost all of Japan's production is frozen at sea, taken as an incidental catch in its high seas tuna fisheries. Fresh mahi is exported from Latin American countries, particularly Costa Rica, Ecuador and Brazil. Mahi mahi is a fish that strikes a perfect balance between a whitefish and the darker fleshed tunas and mackerels: not too strong, not too bland; a fish that pleases everyone.

Species Specifics
  • Cosmopolitans of the sea, mahi mahi, Coryphacna hippurus, are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.
  • In the U.S., mahi are harvested in the Hawaiian Islands and on the East Coast, mainly in the Gulf Stream waters off Florida. Total U.S. landings are about 600 tons.
  • Mahi mahi grow to 80 pounds (in less than five years!), but most of the commercial catch is in the 20 pound range.
  • An adult female broodfish can be induced to spawn every 48 hours throughout the year. That means a large fish can produce 250,000 eggs every two days for a total of 50 million eggs per year.

What is a Bullet Cut?
Fresh mahi mahi is almost always exported headed & gutted in a "bullet cut" collar bone removed, belly flaps trimmed, tail off. South American processors are increasingly freezing fillets during periods of peak production for later distribution. The quality of these products can be excellent.

Fish Farmer's Dream
Farmed mahi? It's possible, it's probable, but it hasn't happened, yet. Consider the mahi's qualifications: It's one of the most rapid growing fish in the ocean, capable of reaching five pounds in six months and 25 pounds in one year; the feed conversion ratio is excellent (1:1 on pelletized feed); an adult female can lay 50 million eggs per year; it's resistant to disease and tolerant of high stocking densities. But the species has so far eluded aquaculturists in the U.S., Australia and Ecuador. They can grow it, but they can't grow it profitably. One drawback is the energy costs for sufficient aeration. The mahi, it seems, has a high metabolism.

The above information is from the Seafood Leader, Vol. 15, No. 5.
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