Dorado and Espadarte are different fish, but they're close enough in the kitchen to stand in for one another.
Coryphaenidae
Mahi-mahi is a spectacular, fast-swimming ocean fish with vivid blue-green and gold coloring that fades quickly after death. Its flesh is firm, moist, and mildly sweet with large flakes. In Latin America it is universally called dorado (golden). It is excellent grilled as steaks or fillets, and is a popular fish taco filling in Baja California. Not to be confused with the Argentine freshwater golden dorado.
Full guide →Xiphiidae
Swordfish is a large, fast-swimming ocean predator with firm, meaty, mildly flavored flesh that resembles a pork chop in texture. It is sold as thick steaks and is ideal for grilling or pan-searing. Its low moisture content means it can withstand high heat without falling apart. It is popular across the Mediterranean and in Mexico where it is used in tacos and ceviches.
Full guide →Both are firm ocean fish suited to grilling as steaks — mahi-mahi is moister and sweeter, swordfish is drier and more intensely flavored.
| Country | Dorado | Espadarte |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Mahi-mahi | Swordfish |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Mahi-mahi | Swordfish |
| 🇫🇷France | Mahi-mahi | Espadon |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Lampuga | Pez espada |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | Dorado | Pez espada |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Dorado | Pez espada |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Dourado | Espadarte |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Dourado | Espadarte |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Lampuga | Pesce spada |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Goldmakrele | Schwertfisch |
Browse every species in the atlas on the fish index, or identify one from a photo with Identify my cut.