Spindle-shaped fishes and large, robust fishes
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus
albacares
Description
To 6' (1.8 m); 450 lbs (204.1 kg).
Fusiform, compressed; dark blue above, gray below, fins tinged
yellow, finlets yellow, edges black. Snout moderately sharp, mouth
terminal. Pectoral fin tip not extending beyond second dorsal fin
origin; dorsal fins about same height, second dorsal greatly
elongate in large individuals; 8-9 dorsal and 7-9 anal finlets;
caudal fin lobes slender, rear profile lunate.
Similar Species
Albacore (
T. alalunga) has
pectoral fins extending beyond anal fin origin.
Habitat
On surface and at mid-depths in open
seas.
Range
In Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil.
In Pacific from Point Buchon, California, to Chile.
Discussion
This is the most valuable of all tunas
worldwide. Schools of Yellowfin Tunas are pursued by fleets of
purse-seine boats from around the world. Dolphins are frequently
caught in large numbers with the tunas, and these large, expensive
boats have had to modify their nets and fishing methods to resolve
this problem. The Yellowfin Tuna is also a highly prized game
fish.
Spindle-shaped fishes and large, robust fishes