Description: bright greenish
blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple,
chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from
head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides;
anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of
females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind
the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to
tail.
Similar Fish: pompano
dolphin, C. equisetis. The pompano dolphin has squarish tooth patch
on tongue (oval tooth patch on dolphin) and fewer dorsal rays (48 to 55
versus 55 to 65 on dolphin).
Where found: OFFSHORE in
warm waters.
Size: common to 30
pounds.
*Florida Record: 77 lbs,
12 ozs.
Remarks: one of the
fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years; swimming speed
is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout much of
the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
