Atlantic Mahi Mahi

This is a Nature Guide page (viewing and ID). Catch limits, tackle, and charter fit live on the separate Fishing species profile—we keep those products apart on purpose.

How to recognize them

• Atlantic mahi mahi grow up to almost 7 feet and 88 pounds. They live up to 5 years and are capable of reproducing at 4 to 5 months old. Mahi mahi are believed to spawn every 2 to 3 days during the spawning season, releasing between 33,000 and 66,000 eggs each time. In the Atlantic, these fish spawn under patches of floating brown algae called Sargassum .
• Mahi mahi are top predators that feed in surface water during the day. They eat a wide variety of species, including small pelagic fish, juvenile tuna, invertebrates, billfish, jacks, pompano, and pelagic larvae of nearshore, bottom-living species. Predators of mahi mahi include large tuna, marine mammals, marlin, sailfish, and swordfish.
• Where They Live Range Atlantic mahi mahi are found in the Atlantic, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean, and are caught from Massachusetts to Texas.
• About one-third of U.S. commercial harvest (excluding imports) of mahi mahi comes from the Atlantic, Gulf of America, and Caribbean. The rest comes from the Pacific , mainly Hawaii.
• Habitat Atlantic mahi mahi live near the surface in tropical and subtropical waters. Juveniles swim together in schools while older fish are usually found alone. Larger males prefer open ocean habitat. Females and smaller males are commonly found near natural and artificial floating objects, including floating brown algae called Sargassum (in the Atlantic and the Caribbean).
• Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries , the Caribbean Council , and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils) manage Atlantic mahi mahi.
• In the U.S. South Atlantic, mahi mahi are managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic . Regulations include:
• Permits are required to sell mahi mahi Minimum size limit for mahi mahi caught off the coasts of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina Recreational bag limits Commercial trip limits Annual catch limits View detailed federal regulations for mahi mahi in the South Atlantic
• In the U.S. Caribbean, mahi mahi are managed under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan , the St. Croix Fishery Management Plan , and the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plan . Regulations include:
• Annual catch limits in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Harvest Commercial Fishery In 2024, commercial fishermen harvested approximately 75,000 pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and Gulf of America valued at $249,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
• Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Hook-and-line gear (including handlines and longlines) is used for commercial harvest. Hook-and-line gear has minimal impact on habitat because it does not contact the ocean floor.
• Longlines can incidentally catch sea turtles, marine mammals, and other species. Longline fishermen follow measures to prevent bycatch and protect other species. These include using specific gear and safe handling techniques to reduce impacts on sea turtles, as well as not fishing in certain areas to protect species such as billfish.
• Recreational Fishery The mahi mahi fishery in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of America has historically been recreational.
• In 2024, recreational fishermen harvested 8.2 million pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and the Gulf of America , according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database .
• Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Carangiformes Family Coryphaenidae Genus Coryphaena Species hippurus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026

Biology notes

• Atlantic mahi mahi are found in the Atlantic, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean, and are caught from Massachusetts to Texas.
• About one-third of U.S. commercial harvest (excluding imports) of mahi mahi comes from the Atlantic, Gulf of America, and Caribbean. The rest comes from the Pacific , mainly Hawaii.
• Habitat Atlantic mahi mahi live near the surface in tropical and subtropical waters. Juveniles swim together in schools while older fish are usually found alone. Larger males prefer open ocean habitat. Females and smaller males are commonly found near natural and artificial floating objects, including floating brown algae called Sargassum (in the Atlantic and the Caribbean).
• Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries , the Caribbean Council , and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils) manage Atlantic mahi mahi.
• In the U.S. South Atlantic, mahi mahi are managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic . Regulations include:
• Permits are required to sell mahi mahi Minimum size limit for mahi mahi caught off the coasts of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina Recreational bag limits Commercial trip limits Annual catch limits View detailed federal regulations for mahi mahi in the South Atlantic
• In the U.S. Caribbean, mahi mahi are managed under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan , the St. Croix Fishery Management Plan , and the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plan . Regulations include:
• Annual catch limits in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Harvest Commercial Fishery In 2024, commercial fishermen harvested approximately 75,000 pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and Gulf of America valued at $249,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
• Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Hook-and-line gear (including handlines and longlines) is used for commercial harvest. Hook-and-line gear has minimal impact on habitat because it does not contact the ocean floor.
• Longlines can incidentally catch sea turtles, marine mammals, and other species. Longline fishermen follow measures to prevent bycatch and protect other species. These include using specific gear and safe handling techniques to reduce impacts on sea turtles, as well as not fishing in certain areas to protect species such as billfish.
• Recreational Fishery The mahi mahi fishery in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of America has historically been recreational.
• In 2024, recreational fishermen harvested 8.2 million pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and the Gulf of America , according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database .
• Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Carangiformes Family Coryphaenidae Genus Coryphaena Species hippurus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026

Habitat & range

• NOAA Fisheries , the Caribbean Council , and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils) manage Atlantic mahi mahi.
• In the U.S. South Atlantic, mahi mahi are managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic . Regulations include:
• Permits are required to sell mahi mahi Minimum size limit for mahi mahi caught off the coasts of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina Recreational bag limits Commercial trip limits Annual catch limits View detailed federal regulations for mahi mahi in the South Atlantic
• In the U.S. Caribbean, mahi mahi are managed under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan , the St. Croix Fishery Management Plan , and the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plan . Regulations include:
• Annual catch limits in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Harvest Commercial Fishery In 2024, commercial fishermen harvested approximately 75,000 pounds of mahi mahi in the Atlantic and Gulf of America valued at $249,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
• Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Hook-and-line gear (including handlines and longlines) is used for commercial harvest. Hook-and-line gear has minimal impact on habitat because it does not contact the ocean floor.

Population status

• Atlantic mahi mahi are brightly-colored fish—back is an electric greenish blue, lower body is gold or sparkling silver, and sides have a mixture of dark and light spots. Bright pattern fades almost immediately after mahi mahi is harvested.
• Adult males have a square head and females have a rounded head.
• Atlantic mahi mahi can be distinguished from the pompano dolphin by its 55 to 66 dorsal fin rays and a very wide, square tooth patch on the tongue.
• Biology Atlantic mahi mahi grow up to almost 7 feet and 88 pounds. They live up to 5 years and are capable of reproducing at 4 to 5 months old. Mahi mahi are believed to spawn every 2 to 3 days during the spawning season, releasing between 33,000 and 66,000 eggs each time. In the Atlantic, these fish spawn under patches of floating brown algae called Sargassum .
• Mahi mahi are top predators that feed in surface water during the day. They eat a wide variety of species, including small pelagic fish, juvenile tuna, invertebrates, billfish, jacks, pompano, and pelagic larvae of nearshore, bottom-living species. Predators of mahi mahi include large tuna, marine mammals, marlin, sailfish, and swordfish.
• Where They Live Range Atlantic mahi mahi are found in the Atlantic, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean, and are caught from Massachusetts to Texas.

Where to see them around Ocean City

• Most reliable views are from head boats and private sportfish day trips when bluewater is close—watch for birds, bait, and surface activity from the rail.
• Shore viewers rarely see canyon pelagics; use the Inlet and Assateague for coastal species instead, then treat offshore sightings as trip bonuses.
• Keep a respectful distance if a vessel approaches whales, sharks, or rays—follow NOAA approach guidelines and captain instructions.
• Atlantic Mahi Mahi is a bluewater animal for most visitors—treat shore sightings as rare bonuses, not the main plan.

When to look

• Peak bluewater viewing usually tracks summer and early fall when warm water and bait move onto the shelf.
• Weather windows matter more than calendar weeks—canceled canyon days mean fewer offshore sightings for visitors.
• Winter and early spring sightings are possible but less predictable from a typical vacation schedule.

Viewing tips & etiquette

• Use binoculars or a long lens; do not enter the water to corner fish, rays, or sharks for photos.
• Respect beach nesting closures, stay off dunes, and keep dogs leashed where required.
• If you find a stranded or injured animal, contact official wildlife responders—do not attempt rescue yourself.
• For harvest rules, size limits, or charter planning, use the Fishing profile for Atlantic Mahi Mahi —not this Nature Guide page.

Sources

• NOAA Fisheries species profile (biology reference; angling product stays on our Fishing hub)
• OCEANCITY.MD Fishing species profile