Do Mahi Mahi Possess Fins and Scales?

Mahimahi, or Coryphaena hippurus, are most prevalent in tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Fast swimmers, Mahimahi are one of the top predator fish of the Atlantic. Fishermen seek these fish for commercial sale because consumers like the mahimahi’s firm meat.

Classification

Though mahimahi are also known as dolphinfish, they are not related to the friendly mammals also known as dolphins. Instead, they are true bony fish belonging to the class Actinopterygii, or ray-finned fish.

Scales

Cycloid scales cover the entire body of the mahimahi. Cycloid scales have smooth outer edges and overlap from head to tail. The shape and arrangement of the scales reduce drag so that the fish swims faster.

Fins

Mahimahi have seven fins: a dorsal fin that runs the length of the body, an anal fin that lies on the underside of the fish, two pectoral fins, two pelvic fins and a forked caudal fin.