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.
Names by country
| Country | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Mahi-mahi | Also called dolphinfish — the Hawaiian name mahi-mahi is used to avoid confusion with the mammal |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Mahi-mahi | |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Doradoprimary | A Baja California favorite — popular in fish tacos and ceviches |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | Dorado | Note: in Argentina 'dorado' also refers to the unrelated freshwater golden dorado |
| 🇫🇷France | Mahi-mahi | Also called coryphène in French scientific literature |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Lampuga | A seasonal delicacy in the Balearic Islands |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Dourado | |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Dourado | Note: in Brazil 'dourado' also refers to the freshwater Salminus brasiliensis |
Culinary substitutes
Both are firm ocean fish suited to grilling as steaks — mahi-mahi is moister and sweeter, swordfish is drier and more intensely flavored.
Both are fast-swimming tropical pelagic fish prized by sportfishers and suited to grilling and ceviches — wahoo is firmer and more delicate, mahi-mahi is moister and sweeter.
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