🌊 Saltwater

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

The yellowfin tuna is one of the most commercially important tuna species and a prized game fish in tropical and subtropical oceans. Recognizable by its distinctive bright yellow dorsal fin and finlets, it is smaller than the bluefin but still a powerful ocean predator. Yellowfin tuna form large schools and feed cooperatively with dolphins and seabirds on baitfish.

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Typical Size

4–6 feet (1.2–1.8m)

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Weight

100–300 lbs (45–136 kg) typical; record over 427 lbs (194 kg)

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Lifespan

6–9 years

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Water Type

Saltwater

🗺️ Habitat

Tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Highly migratory, found near the surface in open ocean and near offshore structures.

🔍 How to Identify Yellowfin Tuna

1Bright yellow dorsal fin, anal fin, and finlets — the most distinctive feature
2Blue-black back fading to golden-yellow sides and silver-white belly
3Long, bright yellow finlets between the second dorsal fin and the tail
4Pectoral fins that reach the second dorsal fin (longer than bluefin)
5Crescent-shaped tail typical of all tunas

🍽️ Diet

Flying fish, squid, crustaceans, and smaller fish

💡 Fun Facts About Yellowfin Tuna

★Yellowfin tuna often associate with dolphins, whales, and floating objects
★They can swim at speeds exceeding 50 mph in short bursts
★Yellowfin are the "ahi" tuna most commonly used for sushi and sashimi
★They feed both day and night, following prey into shallow water
★Young yellowfin often school by size with other tuna species

🛡️ Conservation Status

Near Threatened — managed through international fishing quotas

🔗 Related Species

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

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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