The Mahi-mahi, Coryphaena hippurus, also known as dolphin, common dolphin-fish, doradomaverikos, or lampuki (in Maltese) are surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are one of only two members of the Coryphaenidae family, the other being the Pompano dolphinfish. The name "mahi-mahi" ("strong-strong" in Hawaiian), particularly used on restaurant menus, has been adopted in recent years to avoid confusing these fish with dolphins, which are mammals. They are often referred to as tuna to avoid this confusion. These fish are a common served fish at many seafood style restaurants. Dolphins, (i.e. The ever so popular T.V. Star, Flipper) are aquatic mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. They vary in size from 1.2 metres (4 ft) and 40 kilograms (88 lb) (Maui's Dolphin), up to 9.5 m (30 ft) and ten tonnes (the Orca or Killer Whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacea, and relatively recent: dolphins evolved about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Dolphins are considered to be amongst the most intelligent of animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. Dolphins are protected by an amendment to the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. This was created to ensure the vitality of various species of marine mammals nearing extinction or depletion due to human activity.
*Mahi-mahi is not a protected species of fish.
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