Spindle-shaped fishes
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.
