Fishes are rich in several nutrients. They are a great source for maintaining a healthy diet. Either one wants to lose weight or gain a healthy weight, eating fish can suffice both. However, the nutritional values in fishes vary from species to species. Two of the extremely nutritious and well-marketed fishes are Ahi and Mahi.
Ahi vs Mahi
The main difference between Ahi and Mahi is that Ahi is a species of tuna, whereas Mahi is known as the dolphin fish. Ahi is tastier than that of Mahi, while Mahi has more meat content as compared to Ahi. So Mahi is regarded as fleshier when compared to Ahi. Mahi comes with a rainbow colour range, while in the case of Ahi, the colour becomes deeper as the size increases.
Ahi is a type of tuna fish that comes in two variants- Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna. However, Yellowfin Ahi is slightly heavier as compared to Bigeye Ahi. The size of an Ahi grows from small to very big. The smaller ones are lighter in colour when compared to the larger ones. Although Ahi can go up to 90 kg in weight, it is not as fleshy as the Mahi.
Mahi, on the other hand, is known as dolphin fish as well as ray-finned fish. It grows very fast and reaches full size within a year only. Mahi fishes are found in rainbow colours. They have a flat and square-structured head, which gives them a unique appearance. Their average weight is similar to that of Ahi, but these can go up to 20 kg.
Comparison Table Between Ahi and Mahi
| Parameters of Comparison | Ahi | Mahi |
| Type | Ahi is a type of tuna fish. | Mahi is known as ray-finned or dolphin fish. |
| Variant | It comes in two variants- Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna. | It comes in a single variant only. |
| Average Weight | Its average weight is around 10 kg. | It also has an average weight of 10 kg. |
| Maximum Weight | It can be more than 90 kg in weight sometimes. | It can go around 20 kg maximum. |
| Colour Range | It is found in pink to deep red colour. | It is found in rainbow-mix colours. |
| Appearance | It looks similar to any normal fish. | It has a flat and square head. |
| Habitat | It is found in Hawaii, Mexico pacific coast and Southern California. | It is found in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters. |
| Meat Content | It has lesser meat content. | It has more amount of meat and is fleshier. |
| Taste | It is tastier in comparison. | It is less tasty. |
What is Ahi?
Ahi is one of the highly marketed fishes in the world. It is a species of Tuna fish that is found in Southern California, Hawaii and Mexico’s pacific coast. It comes in two variants- Yellowfin tuna and Bigeye tuna. Yellowfin Ahi is comparatively larger and is famous for sport fishing. It is otherwise called cow tuna.
Ahi is known to have an average bodyweight of around 10 kg. However, some of them can be as heavy as more than 90 kg. But still, Ahi is less fleshy and has lesser meat content than Mahi. These fishes feed on other fishes, crustaceans and squids. Their body structure is specifically adapted for great speed like all other Tuna fishes. This allows them to capture other fast-moving fishes easily.
The body shape of Ahi is just like any other usual fish except that its second dorsal fin and anal fin can be very lengthy. The colour range of these fishes varies from pink to deep red. Ahi with a larger body size is deeper in colour as compared to the one with a smaller size. The fish is extremely luscious and surpasses Mahi in taste factor.
Ahi, with its commendable speed, tends to escape predators. It is also warm-blooded, just like any other tuna and also, has a brilliant swimming capacity.
What is Mahi?
Just like Ahi, Mahi is also a very famous and well-marketed fish in the world. It is known as dolphin fish, even though it has no relation with dolphins. Another name given to Mahi is ray-finned fish. The fish is found in temperate, tropical as well as subtropical waters. The name Mahi means ‘strong’ in Hawaiin.
The average weight of a Mahi is about 10 kg. However, some of them can go around 20 kg in weight. Coming to the body size, they have a fast growth rate and can reach full size within a year only. They are carnivorous in nature and feed on crustaceans, small fishes and squids. These fishes have a unique physical feature, which distinguishes them from other fishes.
Along with its unique feature, Mahi also appears attractive when it comes to body colour. These fishes have a rainbow mix of colours. Gold, blue and green is the most prominent colours. Mahi is way fleshier than Ahi and has a very good amount of meat content. Although it lags a little bit in taste when compared to Ahi.
Mahi is an extremely popular name in the world of fishes. The fish is known to have a fighting spirit, and therefore, it is considered a very strong species of fish.
Main Differences Between Ahi and Mahi
- Ahi is a tuna, while Mahi is called dolphin fish or ray-finned fish.
- Ahi has two variants, but Mahi does not.
- Some Ahi can be more than 90 kg in weight, while Mahi can be a maximum of 20 kg in weight.
- Mahi is found in tropical waters, while Ahi is found in Hawaii mostly.
- Mahi has a flat and square head, but Ahi is just like any other fish.
- Ahi is tastier while Mahi is fleshier when compared to each other.
Conclusion
Fishes are known for their richness in several types of nutrients. Both Ahi and Mahi are nutritious, delicious and demanded species of fishes. They are heavily marketed all around the world. Although they sound quite similar in names, they are very different from each other.
Ahi and Mahi differ in terms of their habitat, body size and weight, body colour, Taste and Meat content. Even after so many differences, both fishes are extremely popular and preferred by people all over the world.
References
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0011135
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1476-069X-10-90