Coryphene

Coryphene, any fish of the spring-finned genus Coryphaena with six species from tropical and sub-tropical seas, the one (C. hippurus) being common in the Mediterranean. The body is compressed and elongate, and the dorsal extends from the head nearly to the deeply-forked caudal fin. The coryphenes are large and brilliantly coloured, and the flesh is well flavoured. The iridescent hues change rapidly just before death, as do those of the mackerel, a near ally. The name "dolphin" is often wrongly applied to them, and allusions to the changing hues of the "dying dolphin" really refer to C. hippurus.