Details
Thunnus albacares
A fast oceanic tuna of tropical and subtropical seas. Long yellow dorsal and anal fins give large individuals a distinctive profile.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Widespread in warm surface waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans, often near seamounts, fronts, floating objects, or fish aggregations.
The body is streamlined, dark blue above and silvery below. In larger fish, yellow fins and finlets become long and vivid.
It swims continuously at high speed and hunts in schools. Groups may associate with dolphins, floating logs, or artificial fish-aggregating devices.
It eats small fish, squid, and crustaceans, hunting from the surface into midwater.
Adults broadcast many eggs in warm water. Growth is rapid, and maturity comes relatively early.
Yellowfin tuna is harvested worldwide for sashimi, canned tuna, and steaks. Regional fisheries bodies manage stocks.
