Halibut vs. Mahimahi — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Halibut is higher in vitamin B12, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat, whereas Mahi Mahi has more vitamin B3, vitamin B5, iron, and potassium. While halibut has less cholesterol than mahi mahi, mahi mahi can more significantly satisfy your daily vitamin B3 needs.

Introduction

Mahi Mahi is a deep-sea fish recognized for its abundance and different names associated with power and aesthetic beauty. Conversely, Halibut is a predatory flatfish known for its unusual anatomical traits and swimming habits near the ocean floor.

Classification

Mahi Mahi, often known as "dorado" or "dolphinfish," is a deep-sea fish found in tropical and subtropical areas across the world. It has excellent swimming ability and is in high demand as a game fish. The gorgeous golden-green scales of the Mahi Mahi distinguish it from the mammal dolphin. It grows quickly, has nutritional advantages, and is regarded as one of the healthiest sea fish due to its low mercury levels.

Halibut is a predatory flatfish that belongs to the Pleuronectidae family. There are several types of halibut, including Atlantic halibut, Pacific halibut, and common black halibut. 

Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is classified as a member of the Kingdom Animalia, the Phylum Chordata, the Class Actinopterygii, the Order Perciformes, the Family Coryphaenidae, the Genus Coryphaena, and the Species Coryphaena hippurus.

Halibut belongs to the Pleuronectidae family of fish, classified in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, and Class Actinopterygii. 

Appearance

Mahimahi fish has an eye-catching look thanks to its vivid colors, which range from yellow and green to bright blue. On the other hand, Halibut has a quiet coloring, with white on the underside and dark green to brown-black colors on the top.

Halibut stands out because of its unique anatomical trait of having both eyes on the right side of the head, which contrasts with the typical small, distinct face that adult Mahimahi has.

During their relatively brief lifespans of about 4 to 5 years, Mahimahi can reach heights of up to 7 feet and weigh up to 90 pounds. Halibut, on the other hand, is larger and heavier than mahi mahi because it can expand.

Taste and Use

Mahi Mahi is frequently seen as an eco-friendly seafood option for sustainability because it is typically caught with a hook and line, which helps avoid overfishing. On the other hand, Halibut can also be fished sustainably, but it could need more care to follow ethical fishing procedures.

In terms of development and reproduction, Mahi Mahi and halibut have a quick growth rate and a high reproduction capacity, helping to maintain healthy populations. 

The flavor and texture of Mahi Mahi are characterized by a mild to medium flavor, which is characterized by a sweet taste and a delicate, moist texture. Due to its tasty flavor, it is frequently regarded as a popular selection at restaurants. Halibut, on the other hand, provides meat with a moderate flavor.

Nutrition

Both Mahimahi and Halibut are nutrient-dense fish that provide a wide range of beneficial components and macronutrients.

Macronutrients and Calories

Compared to halibut, mahi mahi has slightly more water and more protein. Mahi Mahi has a higher concentration of other nutrients, but halibut has a much higher fat content.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Halibut

1

:

3

Mahimahi

Contains more Fats +1871.1%

Contains more Protein +28.8%

Contains more Water +15.1%

Contains more Other +112.2%

Halibut

Protein: 18.42 g

Fats: 17.74 g

Carbs: 0 g

Water: 61.88 g

Other: 1.96 g

Mahimahi

Protein: 23.72 g

Fats: 0.9 g

Carbs: 0 g

Water: 71.22 g

Other: 4.16 g

Contains more Fats +1871.1%

Contains more Protein +28.8%

Contains more Water +15.1%

Contains more Other +112.2%

Calories

Approximately 239 calories per serving of halibut are more than the 109 calories in a serving of mahi mahi.

Protein

Compared to halibut, mahi mahi has a greater protein level, with about 23.72g of protein per serving, as opposed to 18.42g for halibut.

Both mahi-mahi and halibut are excellent sources of lean protein, offering numerous benefits for weight management and muscle health (1). 

Fats

Mahi Mahi has a decrease in saturated fat of around 92.2% compared to halibut, which is a substantial difference.

 Halibut has more omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, EPA, and DPA, than Mahi.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Halibut

2

:

1

Mahimahi

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +6830.3%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +730.8%

Contains less Saturated Fat -92.2%

Halibut

Saturated Fat: 3.102 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 10.742 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 1.753 g

Mahimahi

Saturated Fat: 0.241 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.155 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.211 g

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +6830.3%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +730.8%

Contains less Saturated Fat -92.2%

Cholesterol

There are approximately 59 mg of cholesterol per serving of halibut, compared to 94 mg in each serving of mahi mahi. 

Vitamins

Mahi Mahi contains higher levels of vitamin A (3 times more), vitamin B3 (4 times more), vitamin B5 (3 times more), and folate (6 times more) compared to halibut. 

Halibut and mahi mahi have approximately the same concentration of vitamin B6 in most situations. However, in about one-third of cases, halibut has a higher level of vitamin B12 compared to mahi mahi.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Halibut

4

:

4

Mahimahi

Contains more Vitamin B1 +217.4%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +21.2%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +39.1%

Contains more Vitamin A +246.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +286.3%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +200.3%

Contains more Folate +500%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.462

Halibut

Mahimahi

Contains more Vitamin B1 +217.4%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +21.2%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +39.1%

Contains more Vitamin A +246.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +286.3%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +200.3%

Contains more Folate +500%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.462

Minerals

In comparison to halibut, mahimahi has greater concentrations of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese, with halibut having a tiny advantage in phosphorus content. 

Both fish have the same amounts of sodium and selenium.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Halibut

2

:

7

Mahimahi

Contains more Phosphorus +14.8%

Contains more Calcium +375%

Contains more Iron +70.6%

Contains more Magnesium +15.2%

Contains more Potassium +54.9%

Contains more Zinc +15.7%

Contains more Copper +39.5%

Contains more Manganese +26.7%

Equal in Sodium - 113

Equal in Selenium - 46.8

Halibut

Mahimahi

Contains more Phosphorus +14.8%

Contains more Calcium +375%

Contains more Iron +70.6%

Contains more Magnesium +15.2%

Contains more Potassium +54.9%

Contains more Zinc +15.7%

Contains more Copper +39.5%

Contains more Manganese +26.7%

Equal in Sodium - 113

Equal in Selenium - 46.8

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index of mahimahi and halibut is low, so their effects on blood sugar levels are minor.

Acidity

The acidity of mahimahi is around 8.7. Halibut has relatively low acidity (6)

Author name: Erna Harutyunyan

Education: General Medicine at YSMU

Last updated: June 01, 2023

Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel