Types of Fish Eaten by Dolphins

Despite their aquatic nature, dolphins are actually mammals and are considered to be some of the world's most intelligent animals. Dolphins expend a great deal of time and energy in search of food and eat a variety of fish and other organisms.

  1. Herring

    • This source of food is preyed upon by dolphins in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Herring are a small- to medium-sized fish. Adults can reach up to 15 inches in length. Herring tend to be more abundant than other fish species.

    Sardines

    • Similar to herring, sardines are a small fish found most often in the waters of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

    Cod

    • Cod is a cold-water fish present in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They occupy both deep and shallow water.

    Other Food

    • While not technically fish, dolphins also consume significant amounts of squid and crustaceans, such as shrimp. In fact, squid is the primary food source for offshore dolphins.