Larval development, distribution, and abundance of common dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus, and pompano dolphin, C. equiselis (family: Coryphaenidae), in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Dolphinfishes (Coryphaena) are highly prized commercial and recreational species of worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical seas, but the development and distribution of their larvae are poorly understood. Common dolphin eggs hatch in about 38 hours at 25 degree C based on a predictive relationship among egg diameter, water temperature, and development time. Morphometrics are generally greater in pompano dolphin than in common dolphin. Pompano dolphin are deeper-bodied and have a larger eye by 9 mm, and a larger mouth and longer pre-anal length by about 13 mm. Differences in pigment along the caudal peduncle and its finfold separate common dolphin from pompano dolphin 8 mm SL; pompano dolphin lack these characters. Both common dolphin and pompano dolphin larvae usually are found at greater than or equal to 24 degree C, greater than or equal to 33 ppt, and beyond the 50 m isobath. Preflexion larvae (