The term “Dorado” is a common name applied to highly prized fish species. Stemming from the Spanish and Portuguese word for “golden,” this designation speaks to the metallic sheen that characterizes the most famous examples of the name. This article will clarify what species the name “Dorado” refers to and explore the unique biological profiles that distinguish these remarkable aquatic animals.
Defining the Name: The Different “Dorados”
The name “Dorado” is commonly used to refer to two entirely distinct and unrelated fish species. The first is the marine Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), widely recognized as Mahi-Mahi or the common Dolphinfish. This species is a saltwater inhabitant found globally in warm tropical and subtropical oceans.
The second species carrying the name is the Golden Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), a large freshwater predator native exclusively to the major river basins of South America. The two species belong to separate families, orders, and even classes of fish, sharing only the common name that describes their golden hue. Therefore, any discussion of “Dorado” must specify whether it refers to the oceanic or the continental species.
Biological Profile of the Marine Dorado
The marine Dorado, or Mahi-Mahi, is a sleek, epipelagic fish found near the ocean surface in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Its appearance is defined by a long, compressed body and a single dorsal fin that stretches nearly the entire length of its back. The fish displays dazzling colors, typically a mix of iridescent blue, green, and gold, which can change rapidly when the fish is excited or removed from the water.
Mature males, often called “bulls,” possess a distinct, blunt, vertical forehead that protrudes well above the body, a feature absent in the more rounded heads of the females. Mahi-Mahi have an exceptionally fast growth rate, making them one of the quickest-growing fish in the ocean. They reach sexual maturity within their first year, often as early as four to five months, but rarely live past four or five years of age.
As a pelagic predator, the Dorado feeds on a varied diet that includes flying fish, squid, crabs, and other small forage fish. They frequently aggregate under floating objects such as mats of Sargassum seaweed or debris, using these structures as cover for hunting. This reliance on surface cover makes them a predictable target for both their prey and for human fishing efforts.
The Golden Dorado: A Freshwater Apex Predator
The Golden Dorado, Salminus brasiliensis, is a member of the Characiform order, characterized by a robust, muscular body and large, brass-colored scales. Its powerful, underslung jaw is armed with multiple rows of sharp, cone-shaped teeth adapted for seizing and slicing prey. This anatomical structure confirms its status as the apex predator in its native South American river systems.
This freshwater species is endemic to the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay River basins, spanning countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The Dorado is a potamodromous fish, meaning it must undertake extensive upstream migrations, often traveling hundreds of kilometers, to reach specific areas to spawn. These spawning runs are synchronized with seasonal water level changes in the river systems.
The Golden Dorado’s diet consists almost entirely of other fish. Its hunting strategy involves powerful bursts of speed and acrobatic leaps to capture prey, which includes a variety of smaller characids. Individuals can reach weights of over 30 kilograms and lengths of more than one meter, making it a formidable presence in its environment.
Economic and Recreational Significance
Both the marine and freshwater Dorados hold value in commercial and recreational spheres, though for different reasons. The Mahi-Mahi is a commercial food fish, with its mild, firm, white flesh sought after in restaurants and seafood markets worldwide. Its high reproductive capacity and wide distribution allow it to sustain relatively heavy fishing pressure without immediate concern for its overall population status.
Conversely, the Golden Dorado is primarily celebrated as a sport fish, drawing anglers from around the world to the South American river systems. Its reputation for explosive strikes and prolonged, acrobatic fights makes it a highly coveted catch-and-release species. While it is also consumed locally, the economic impact of the Golden Dorado is largely driven by fishing tourism.
The two species face different conservation challenges due to their distinct habitats. The Mahi-Mahi population is generally considered stable, a reflection of its short life cycle and high productivity in the open ocean. In contrast, the Golden Dorado faces localized threats, particularly from the construction of hydroelectric dams that disrupt its necessary migratory routes and fragment its natural habitat.