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FAST FACTS

Rumor Has it Dorados are Hopeless Romantics

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not just for love birds- it’s also for love fish.

It is believed by captains, sailors, and mates that dorado, when older, romantically pair up in couples. While animals that mate for life are rare in the animal kingdom, crews often witness this scenario. For example, a mate is almost always nearby when a larger male dorado is spotted. Rumors created by sailors tell stories of dorado exhibiting a tear-jerking behavior where they mate for life, but if one of two is caught, the other will linger in that same area for life, waiting for its partner to return.

Young dorados, also called mahi-mahi or dolphinfish, can often be seen traveling in groups of up to 50 or more fish to minimize their risk of being attacked. As these fish age, they tend to travel in smaller pods and, in some cases, may travel in only pairs. This behavior is believed to have sparked the rumor that they mate for life.

Unlike marine mammals that give birth, dorados are born from eggs and are not given support or nurture from their mother or father. Therefore, survival often depends on their ability to adjust to their surroundings quickly and find shelter in large groups of young dorado.

The dorado fish is one of the fastest-growing fish, reaching sexual maturity within the first 6 – 12 months of life. Female dorado fish can lay anywhere from 100,000 – 1,000,000 eggs at a time and can lay eggs up to two to three times a year. Fertility and laying eggs can occur at any time during the year because these fish do not have a primary mating season. Their average lifespan is three to four years, with a few fish sometimes living to the age of five— these lover-fish live fast and die young.

On Board With JR Johnson

The name mahi-mahi means “strong” in the Hawaiian language— and they’re so strong they have to name them twice.

Letters/Online Comments

RE: SoCal Classics: Portola (APRIL 2014)

“My Grandad Harry Adams skippered a ship named the Portola in San Diego in the late 50s and early 60s to the best of our knowledge. I have some items that are connected to the Portola and if there is interest would like to return them.” —Cheryl Adams

RE: L.A. Supervisors approve landscape maintenance contract for

Marina del Rey (FEB. 2020)

“Each LandCare team member acts with self-assurance, and communicates openly and honestly to ensure we meet the goals for your property.” —Alex Ivanov