Dolphins are carnivorous mammals that primarily eat a diverse diet of fish and squid. Their diet can also include crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, as well as other marine creatures like octopuses and occasionally jellyfish, though jellyfish are not a preferred food due to their low nutritional value and stinging tentacles

. The specific types of prey dolphins consume depend on their species, habitat, and geographic location. For example:

• Coastal dolphins tend to eat fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
• Offshore dolphins often eat fish and squid, sometimes diving to great depths to catch deep-sea fish.
• River dolphins consume freshwater fish and crustaceans like gobies and carp.
• Some larger dolphin species, like orcas (killer whales), may also prey on marine mammals such as seals and other dolphins

Common fish in a dolphin’s diet include mackerel, herring, cod, eels, hake, mullet, anchovies, and pilchard. Dolphins use echolocation to locate their prey and employ various hunting strategies, often working cooperatively in pods to catch fish

. Baby dolphins (calves) initially rely on their mother’s milk for up to 18-20 months before gradually transitioning to solid foods like small fish while continuing to nurse

. In summary, dolphins mainly eat:

• Various fish species (e.g., mackerel, herring, cod, eels)
• Squid and octopus
• Crustaceans (shrimp, crabs)
• Occasionally jellyfish and other marine invertebrates
• Larger species like orcas may eat marine mammals