Scientific Name
Coryphaena equiselis

Common Name
Pompano dolphinfish

Biology
Primarily an oceanic species but may enter coastal waters. Usually forms schools. Follows boats and may be found under floating objects. Feeds on small fishes and squid. Eggs and larvae are pelagic. Marketed fresh and considered an excellent food fish. An important game fish in northern South America.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Dolphinfishes (Coryphaenidae)

Distribution

Region

Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Frequently misidentified as juvenile or female of Coryphaena hippurus. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Frequently misidentified as juvenile or female of Coryphaena hippurus. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Range

48°N - 48°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - ? m

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.60 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

127 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: experimental; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated