Thalassas, 31(1) January 2015: 9-13

An International Journal of Marine Sciences

FIRST RECORD OF Coryphaena hippurus

(LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE SEA OF MARMARA
SHORT NOTE

M.L. ARTZ(1) & N. KUBAN(2)

(1) Sevin-Erdal nn Foundation, Department of Marine Sciences, Anadoluhisar Toplarn No: 8, 34810, Istanbul, Turkey
(2)Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34118 Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey
*Corresponding author: M. Levent Artz
e-mail: levent@artuz.com

ABSTRACT
The presence of the common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus in the West part of the Sea of Marmara was reported on the
base of the capture of 1 male specimen of 632 mm standard length. The fish was caught using a tangle net deployed in the
coast of nceburun in the Sea of Marmara. This is considered the first reliable record of C. hippurus in the Sea of Marmara.
Morphometric and meristic data of the caught specimen are reported.

Key words: Coryphaena hippurus, Sea of Marmara, meristic characters, morphometric characters

RESUMEN
La presencia del dorado, Coryphaena hippurus en la parte oeste del Mar de Mrmara se atestigua en base a la captura de
un espcimen macho de 632 mm de longitud. El ejemplar se captur usando una red de enredo desplegada en la costa de
Inceburun en el Mar de Mrmara. Se puede considerar el primer registro fiable de C. hippurus en el Mar de Mrmara. Se
proporcionan los datos morfomtricos y mersticos del espcimen capturado.

Palabras clave: Coryphaena hippurus, Mar de Mrmara, caracteres merstico; caracteres morfomtricos.

Thalassas, 31(1) January 2015

M.L. ARTZ & N. KUBAN

Figure 1: Location map of point of capture of the specimen of a dolphinfish in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey.
Figure 1.
Location map of point of capture of the specimen of a dolphinfish in the Sea of
Marmara, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION
Early ichthyofauna studies in Turkish waters including
Sea of Marmara were given by Deveciyan (1915); Erazi
(1941) and Akray (1954). Since then, the fish fauna
has been studied extensively (Bilecenolu and Takavak
1999; Bilecenoglu, et al., 2002; Mater et al., 2002;
Erylmaz, 2003; Artz, 2004; Can and Demirci, 2012).
The common dolphinfish has been reported the
Mediterranean coasts of Turkey (Akyol, et al, 2006;
Akyol, et al, 2008; Ceyhan et al, 2009; Ceyhan et al, 2011).
In the Aegean Sea, Coryphaena hippurus is a by-catch
species of the commercial long-lining and purse-seining
fisheries of tuna species and swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
The biological parameters of the common dolphinfish in
waters of the South-eastern Aegean Sea were described
by Vassilopoulou et al., (2004). Also, Bannister (1976)
described the length-weight relationship, condition factor
and gut contents in the Mediterranean. However, there
is no information about the presence of Coryphaena
hippurus in the Sea of Marmara.
We report here on the occurrence of Coryphaena
hippurus off nceburun in the West part of the Sea of
Marmara, Turkey (Figure 1).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One immature (lobules undeveloped, thin and slight)
male specimen of common dolphinfish, Coryphaena
hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758) was caught on 26th August
10

Thalassas, 31(1) January 2015

2013, next to the west shore of the Sea of Marmara

(40 34.200 N : 027 00.417 E) around nceburun. The
specimen was caught by local fishermen using a tangle
net of 25-100 mm mesh size, used for the capture of
Pomatomus saltatrix and Sarda sarda. The fishermen
normally deploy the nets by night taking advantages of
the bioluminescence effect of fish caught. Fishermens
hauling, depending the catch rate, two to three times
per hour. The specimen was identified (Figure 2) and
measured with an ichthyometer and a digital calliper. It
was later fixed in 10% formalin buffered with sea water,
and later preserved and deposited in the fish collection of
the SEI Foundation, MAREM (Marmara Environmental
Monitoring) Project with the reference PEL-001-223.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, are
present in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic,
Indian, and Pacific oceans. The dolphinfish is a wideranging, epipelagic predator in all tropical and subtropical
oceans (Palko et al., 1982). It is a highly migratory species.
They are found both in open and coastal waters, often in
schools, normally in warm and temperate areas, between
21C and 30C. It has been reported in the Western
and Easter Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
seas, and from the north-wester Spain to Angola), and
Mediterranean Sea. It is also present in the Western and
Eastern Indian Ocean (except possibly in the Red Sea)
and Western Central Pacific. It is an epipelagic species
that inhabit open waters, but also approach to the coast.
It follows ships and forms small concentrations below

FIRST RECORD OF Coryphaena hippurus (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE SEA OF MARMARA
SHORT NOTE

Table 1: Morphometric and meristic characters of Coryphaena hippurus caught

in the west part of Sea of Marmara (HL, Head length; SL, Standard length)

Total weight
Total length
Fork length
Morphometric
Characters
Standard length
Head length
Preorbital length
Eye diameter
Predorsal fin length
Prepelvic fin length
Preanal fin length
Pectoral fin length
Pelvic fin length
Dorsal fin length
Anal fin length
Maximum body height
Minimum body height
Meristic
Characters
Dorsal soft rays
Anal soft rays
Pectoral fin rays

2210 gr
815 mm
663 mm
length
(mm)
632
156.2
64.0
28.0
118.0
166.0
361.0
95.0
66.9
477.2
247.2
161.6
40.1

percentage
(% in SL)
24.7
18.7
26.3
57.1
15.0
10.6
75.5
39.1
25.6
6.3

percentage
(% in HL)
41.0
17.9
-

61
29
19

Table 1. Morphometric and meristic characters of the immature male specimen of Coryphaena

floating objects (Beardsley,

1967;inOxenford
andof Hunte,
ventral;
brightSL,
greenish
above, yellow on sides,
hippurus caught
the west part
Sea of Marmarathe
(HL,
Head length;
Standardblue
length)
1986; Tortonese, 1990; Patterson and Martinez, 1991;
with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide
Received
in revised
form: ; Accepted:
4, 2014
Campos et al., 1993; Norton and Crooke,
1994;
Laso and
range March
of other
colours; body tapers sharply from head to
Zapata, 1999).
tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides;
anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical;
Regarding Fischer and Bianchi, (1984) to the identical
Colour of back a brilliant metallic blue-green. Head of
and general description (distinctive characters) of FAO
females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends
species identification sheet; Coryphaena hippurus (locally
from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin
called common dolphinfish, aka, dorado, dolphinfish,
concave and extending from anus to tail. Adult males have
mahi-mahi), reaches 2.1 m of total length and a maximum
a prominent bony crest in front of the head. Juveniles and
weights of 40 kg. Greatest body depth in adults is less
smaller common dolphinfish have pronounced vertical
than 25% of the standard length (SL). Young fish (up
bars on the sides of the body. Juveniles with only tips of
to 30 cm) have slender, elongate body with head profile
caudal lobes unpigmented; pelvic fins black (Bini, 1965).
slightly convex. In larger males (30-200 cm SL), the head
(Figure 2)
profile becomes vertical with development of bony crest.
(Figure 3) This species is reported to have a lifespan of 5
Consumption of common dolphinfish, Coryphaena
years maximum.
hippurus, has been reported to cause ciguatera poisoning
(Withers, 1982). This species is hunted worldwide
They have a single dorsal fin that extends from above
commercially and is not considered as an endangered
the eye almost to the caudal fin with 58-66 rays and
species (IUCN, 2013).
dorsal fin rays 58-66. They also have a concave anal fin
that extends from the anus to the caudal fin. The pectoral
This is the first documentation of their occurrence
fins are typically more than half the length of the head.
in the Sea of Marmara, indicating a significant range
Lateral line scales 200 or more and a vertebra is divided
extension of their previously known distribution. It is
to 31. tooth patch on tongue small and oval (Bini, 1965).
premature to assess whether the present population is
represented by only a few visitors exploring the new area
The colour of the common dolphinfish is gold, blue,
or whether it is a well-established population hitherto
and/or green on the side with white and yellow shading on
undetected, probably due to the lack of ichthyological
Thalassas, 31(1) January 2015

11

Head

M.L. ARTZ & N. KUBAN

Figure 2: Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758) male: (A) head; (B) pectoral fin; and (C) the whole fish.
Figure 2. Coryphaena
hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758) male: (A) head; (B) pectoral fin; and (C) the
whole fish.

expeditions and fishery surveys. Thus, there is a need

to investigate further the frequency of occurrence and
to study the biological characteristics of this species in
order to determine whether it has established a sustainable
population in its new surroundings.

to collect the material. We appreciate the assistance of

Prof. Dr. Diner Glen who provided wide knowledge.
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Thalassas, 31(1) January 2015

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SHORT NOTE

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(Received in revised form: February, 12, 2014; Accepted: March, 4, 2014)

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