Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Thunnus albacares
- Common name
- Yellowfin tuna
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scombridae
- Genus
- Thunnus
- Size
- 100–240 cm
- Depth
- 0–250 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia
Description
Thunnus albacares reaches 2.4 m and 200 kg. Circumtropical and tropical temperate tuna (Thunnidae). Fusiform body metallic blue back, golden-yellow flanks, silver belly. Distinctive feature: bright yellow secondary fins (finlets), second dorsal and anal can elongate into sickles in large adults. Lives in dense schools from 0 to 250 m in open water of all tropical and warm-temperate oceans. Listed NT by IUCN. Fast thermoregulated predator. Massive industrial commercial fishery (longline, seine). Iconic encounters West Africa (Senegal) and Maldives. Wide-angle photo subject for metallic colors and schools.
Photo of Yellowfin tuna
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowfin tuna?
- Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) reaches 100–240 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowfin tuna?
- Yellowfin tuna is found between 0–250 m deep.
- Is the Yellowfin tuna dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowfin tuna?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Yellowfin tuna?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Thunnus
Other species in the family Scombridae
- Scomber scombrus - Atlantic mackerel
- Katsuwonus pelamis - Skipjack tuna
- Sarda sarda - Atlantic bonito
- Euthynnus affinis - Kawakawa
- Auxis rochei - Bullet tuna
- Euthynnus alletteratus - Little tunny
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127027)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2374013)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia