Stenella attenuata . Pantropical spotted dolphins are found in all tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. These relatively small dolphins are quite social and often associate with other dolphin spe
Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 03/06/2025). Ocean City charter and Maryland
record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and
bag limits before you fish—rules change.
Region: New England/Mid-Atlantic,
Pacific Islands,
Southeast
Category: Protected species · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland likelihood: 1★ out of 5
About the species
Pantropical spotted dolphins are found in all tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. These relatively small dolphins are quite social and often associate with other dolphin species, including the rough-toothed dolphin , short-finned pilot whale , and spinner dolphin .
The tuna purse-seine fishery depleted the pantropical spotted dolphin population in the eastern tropical Pacific, and the northeastern offshore stock in the eastern tropical Pacific is considered depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). All pantropical spotted dolphins are protected under the MMPA.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting pantropical spotted dolphins. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.
Maryland record catch
Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin on the current sport-fish record board.
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is a protected marine species in U.S. waters. Do not harvest. This guide is biology and Ocean City context only—not a fishing target.
Pantropical spotted dolphins are relatively small, reaching lengths of 6 to 7 feet and weighing approximately 250 pounds at adulthood. They have long, slender snouts or beaks. Like the Atlantic spotted dolphin , pantropical spotted dolphins do not have spots at birth but accumulate them as they age until they are almost completely covered with overlapping spots. They are also distinguished by a dark cape or coloration on their backs—stretching from their head to almost midway between the dorsal fin and the tail flukes—and by a white-tipped beak.
Behavior and Diet Pantropical spotted dolphins usually occur in groups of several hundred to 1,000 animals. They are considered quite social, often grouping with other dolphin species. Although their specific migratory patterns have not been clearly described, they seem to move inshore in the fall and winter months and offshore in the spring.
Pantropical spotted dolphins spend most of their day in shallower water between 300 and 1,000 feet deep. At night, they dive into deeper waters to search for prey. They feed primarily on mesopelagic cephalopods and fish.
Where They Live Pantropical spotted dolphins can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The depleted northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock inhabits the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, far out at sea. Coastal spotted dolphins are found within 100 miles of the coast. In addition, a Hawaiian stock occurs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
In the Hawaiian archipelago, there are genetically distinct populations of pantropical spotted dolphins found between Hawaiߵi Island, Maui Nui, Oߵahu, and offshore. Animals from each population can travel 120 to 300 miles offshore, but they are generally found closer to the islands.
In the Northwest Atlantic Ocean sightings north of Cape Hatteras have been along the continental slope while in waters south of Cape Hatteras and in the Gulf of America sightings have been recorded in deeper offshore waters.
Appearance
Pantropical spotted dolphins usually occur in groups of several hundred to 1,000 animals. They are considered quite social, often grouping with other dolphin species. Although their specific migratory patterns have not been clearly described, they seem to move inshore in the fall and winter months and offshore in the spring.
Pantropical spotted dolphins spend most of their day in shallower water between 300 and 1,000 feet deep. At night, they dive into deeper waters to search for prey. They feed primarily on mesopelagic cephalopods and fish.
Where They Live Pantropical spotted dolphins can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The depleted northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock inhabits the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, far out at sea. Coastal spotted dolphins are found within 100 miles of the coast. In addition, a Hawaiian stock occurs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
In the Hawaiian archipelago, there are genetically distinct populations of pantropical spotted dolphins found between Hawaiߵi Island, Maui Nui, Oߵahu, and offshore. Animals from each population can travel 120 to 300 miles offshore, but they are generally found closer to the islands.
In the Northwest Atlantic Ocean sightings north of Cape Hatteras have been along the continental slope while in waters south of Cape Hatteras and in the Gulf of America sightings have been recorded in deeper offshore waters.
Lifespan & Reproduction The maximum lifespan for pantropical spotted dolphins is 46 years. Maturity occurs around age 11. Mating and calving occurs year-round, with gestation lasting around 11 months. Lactation usually lasts 2 years, but it may be as few as 1 year. At 3 to 6 months old, however, calves will begin eating solid food. Calving intervals depend on the population, but they range from 2.5 to 4 years.
Threats Entanglement One of the main threats to pantropical spotted dolphins is becoming entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear. Entanglement is particularly threatening for the northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Some species of tuna are known to aggregate beneath groups of northeastern offshore spotted dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific. This close association led to the fishing practice of encircling a spotted dolphin group to capture the tuna concentrated below, to the detriment of the dolphin population, which were incidentally caught as bycatch in the nets.
Illegal Feeding and Harassment Because pantropical spotted dolphins are common and abundant throughout the Hawaiian archipelago (where they are the second most frequently sighted species during nearshore surveys), interactions with people are a growing issue for the Hawaiian stock. Illegal feeding and harassment of these dolphins have been reported.
Hunting Pantropical spotted dolphins are hunted for food in Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of the Pacific.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Delphinidae Genus Stenella Species attenuata Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 03/06/2025
Biology
Pantropical spotted dolphins can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The depleted northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock inhabits the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, far out at sea. Coastal spotted dolphins are found within 100 miles of the coast. In addition, a Hawaiian stock occurs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
In the Hawaiian archipelago, there are genetically distinct populations of pantropical spotted dolphins found between Hawaiߵi Island, Maui Nui, Oߵahu, and offshore. Animals from each population can travel 120 to 300 miles offshore, but they are generally found closer to the islands.
In the Northwest Atlantic Ocean sightings north of Cape Hatteras have been along the continental slope while in waters south of Cape Hatteras and in the Gulf of America sightings have been recorded in deeper offshore waters.
Lifespan & Reproduction The maximum lifespan for pantropical spotted dolphins is 46 years. Maturity occurs around age 11. Mating and calving occurs year-round, with gestation lasting around 11 months. Lactation usually lasts 2 years, but it may be as few as 1 year. At 3 to 6 months old, however, calves will begin eating solid food. Calving intervals depend on the population, but they range from 2.5 to 4 years.
Threats Entanglement One of the main threats to pantropical spotted dolphins is becoming entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear. Entanglement is particularly threatening for the northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Some species of tuna are known to aggregate beneath groups of northeastern offshore spotted dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific. This close association led to the fishing practice of encircling a spotted dolphin group to capture the tuna concentrated below, to the detriment of the dolphin population, which were incidentally caught as bycatch in the nets.
Illegal Feeding and Harassment Because pantropical spotted dolphins are common and abundant throughout the Hawaiian archipelago (where they are the second most frequently sighted species during nearshore surveys), interactions with people are a growing issue for the Hawaiian stock. Illegal feeding and harassment of these dolphins have been reported.
Hunting Pantropical spotted dolphins are hunted for food in Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of the Pacific.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Delphinidae Genus Stenella Species attenuata Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 03/06/2025
Where they live
Range
Pantropical spotted dolphins can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The depleted northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock inhabits the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, far out at sea. Coastal spotted dolphins are found within 100 miles of the coast. In addition, a Hawaiian stock occurs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
In the Hawaiian archipelago, there are genetically distinct populations of pantropical spotted dolphins found between Hawaiߵi Island, Maui Nui, Oߵahu, and offshore. Animals from each population can travel 120 to 300 miles offshore, but they are generally found closer to the islands.
Habitat
See the NOAA species profile for habitat detail for this entry.
Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context
From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Pantropical Spotted Dolphin profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is protected. Do not harvest. Report unusual strandings or entanglements through official channels.
Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
What charter to book from Ocean City
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is not a standard Ocean City charter harvest target. Use this profile for NOAA biology and Mid-Atlantic context only.
Not typical from OC
Bay guide — Not a typical Ocean City bay guide target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Inshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City inshore charter target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Casting / light tackle — Not a typical Ocean City casting / light tackle target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Trolling charter — Not a typical Ocean City trolling charter target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Nearshore wreck / bottom — Not a typical Ocean City nearshore wreck / bottom target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Offshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City offshore charter target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Head / party boat — Not a typical Ocean City head / party boat target for Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Start with the charter directory trip-type picker so you compare boats inside the right
archetype—not a bay-guide quote against a canyon invoice.
