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local Thursday 23 OcTOber 2025

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our “Dorado”

(Oranjestad)—If you’re terested by giving shrimp or
ever planning on snorkel- squid.
ing during your vacation on
Aruba, you may spot fish Description:
that you can’t recognize. Dorado has a distinctive
One of these may be the body. It has a large tail and
“Dorado”, a common fish its long, flat body ends in a
that swims all year long in large blunt head. Its color
the waters of Aruba. Here’s of yellow and green or blue
some information about the makes it immediately rec-
beloved Dorado. ognizable, even with small
variations in these colors.
Dorado has many different
names it can be referred Dorado has clear differ-
to. Dral, Dorao, Drals, Dra- ences between adult fe-
do, are some of them in males and males. The male
Papiamento. In English, it is larger and can easily
is also called Mahi Mahi, reach 50 to 80 pounds and
Dolphinfish, or Dorado. has a much flatter head
It’s a good example to re- yellow color that the fish among fishermen as an within 1 year but many be- compared to the female.
flect on why there can be shines with under the sun. exciting catch and a fish come reproductive after Therefore, male Dorados
many names. The same Why it’s called Dolphinfish that puts up a good fight. just 5 or 6 months and re- are also called “bull Do-
fish becomes known by in English is not well defined Its meat is very good for produce very quickly too. rado”.
different common names, and while there are several consumption and it is also They live in open water on
why? Common names stories around this, none commercially fished for the surface most of the Dorado can be found in our
come only when a group have been confirmed. that reason. time. Many fish seek them waters around the island all
of people, to understand around sushi lines or float- year round, but there are
each other, assign a name Dorado is found in all tropi- They grow very fast, up to ing objects on the sea. Of- periods when it is easier to
to a fish. Mahi Mahi, for ex- cal to subtropical oceans 2.7 inches (almost 7 cm) ten you will find a group find than others.q
ample, comes from Hawaii around the world. Dorado per week. They can live up landing together and if you
and means “very strong”. is very popular both for to a maximum of 5 years al- keep a male on the line, of- Source: The Department of
Dorado is based on Span- recreational fishing and for though very few reach that ten the others will stay close Agriculture, Livestock, and
ish and refers to the golden consumption. It is known age. Most become adults or can keep the group in- Fisheries (Santa Rosa).