🌊 Saltwater

Albacore Tuna

Thunnus alalunga

The albacore tuna — also called "white tuna" — is the only tuna species whose flesh is light in color, making it the basis of most canned white tuna. Found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, albacore are pelagic fish that follow the warm currents. Their extremely long pectoral fins are the key to their identification, giving them a distinctive look among the tuna family.

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Typical Size

2–4.5 feet (0.6–1.4m)

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Weight

10–40 lbs (4.5–18 kg) typical; record over 88 lbs (40 kg)

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Lifespan

11–13 years

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Water Type

Saltwater

🗺️ Habitat

Tropical and temperate waters of all major oceans. Highly migratory; follows temperature gradients and currents in the open ocean.

🔍 How to Identify Albacore Tuna

1Very long pectoral fins extending past the second dorsal fin — the key feature
2Dark metallic blue back; silvery white sides and belly
3White trailing edge on the tail (caudal fin)
4Light or whitish finlets (unlike yellowfin's bright yellow finlets)
5No golden or yellow stripes on the body

🍽️ Diet

Squid, crustaceans, and small schooling fish like anchovies and sardines

💡 Fun Facts About Albacore Tuna

★Albacore is the most common "white tuna" in canned tuna products
★Their long pectoral fins help them maneuver precisely when attacking baitfish schools
★Pacific albacore migrate across the entire Pacific Ocean in their lifetime
★Albacore tuna travel in mixed-species schools with other tuna species
★Sport fishing for albacore off Oregon and Washington is a beloved summer tradition

🛡️ Conservation Status

Least Concern — well-managed by international fishery commissions

🔗 Related Species

Yellowfin Tuna Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Identify Albacore Tuna Instantly with AI

Not sure if you found a Albacore Tuna? Snap a photo with our Fish Identifier app for an instant AI-powered identification.

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Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's Guide Most Common Freshwater Fish in North America ← Back to All Fish Species