Yellowfin Tuna Fish Classification, Fact and Diet, Habitat, Migration

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Yellowfin Tuna Fish- Yellowfin Tuna Fish is a species of fish belonging to the Scombridae family and the Thunnus genus. It is one of the most popular and commercially important fish in the world. Known for its streamlined body, powerful swimming abilities, and important role in both marine ecosystems and the human diet, tuna is a fascinating and important component of marine life.

Also, these Tuna fish are mainly found in the waters of the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. According to the report, these fish prefer to live between 30°S and 50°S latitude.

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Scientific Classification of Yellowfin Tuna Fish

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterigii
OrderScrombriformes
FamilyScrombridae
GenusThunnus
SPECIESThunnus albacares

Appearance and Distribution of Yellowfin Tuna

The yellowfin tuna is one of the larger tuna species, sometimes weighing over 180 kg (400 lb), but is smaller than the Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, which are both larger, sometimes weighing over 450 kg (990 lb). It is, however, slightly smaller than the bigeye tuna and southern bluefin tuna.

The second dorsal fin and the anal fin, as well as the fins between those fins and the tail, are bright yellow, which is the color that gave this fish its name – the yellow fin fish. The main body is a very dark metallic blue, which turns silvery on the belly, with about 20 vertical lines.

Distribution

ContinentsEurope, North America, South America, South Africa, Oceania and Asia
Sub ContinentsSoutheast Asia, South Asia, Caribbean Island, East Asia, Central America, North America, Western Asia, Polynesia, Micronesia
CuntriesBarbuda and Antigua, Bahamas, Cuba , Dominica, Dominican, Jamaica, Grenada
OceanIndian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean
SeasMediterranean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Solomon Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea.

Yellowfin tuna are generally epipelagic fish that prefer to stay in the mixed surface layer of the ocean above the thermocline. Another study found that the depth varies with the time of day.

Physical Description of Yellowfin Tuna Fish

The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is one of the most easily recognized and commercially important species of tuna. The fish has a number of distinctive physical characteristics that make it distinct from other tuna species, which are as follows:

Size and Weight:

  • Size and Length: According to studies, yellowfin tuna can grow to impressive lengths, typically between 1.5 and 2 metres (4.9 to 6.6 feet). But in some cases, fish of this species can grow up to about 2.4 metres (7.9 feet).
  • Weight: The weight of these fish can vary considerably, but their weight is generally between 40 to 180 kilograms (88 to 397 pound). The heaviest yellowfin tuna ever recorded weighed about 200 kilograms (441 pound).

Body Shape and Structure

  • Body: The yellowfin tuna has a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body that enables it to swim at high speeds. This hydrodynamic shape reduces resistance in the water, allowing it to swim at greater speeds.
  • Head: Their head is usually pointed and slightly large.

Diet of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet that reflects their status as top predators in the marine food web. Their diet consists mainly of a variety of smaller fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Here is a detailed description of the diet of yellowfin tuna:

01. Fishes:

  • Small Pelagic Fish: Yellowfin tuna usually feeds on small fish such as sardines, anchovies, herring and mackerel. These fish are found in large quantities in the pelagic zone, so yellowfin tuna fish can easily find their food.
  • Juvenile Fishes:These fish also eat juvenile fish as their main food, even if they are small tuna fish.

02. Cephalopods:

  • Squid: Squid are a major component of the yellowfin tuna’s diet. They are highly nutritious and provide essential proteins and fats. Squid are also abundant in many of the oceanic regions where yellowfin tuna are found.
  • Octopus: Although octopus is not as popular with fish as squid, it becomes a part of their diet when other fish are not available in an area where octopus is abundant.

03. Crustaceans

  • Shrimp: Yellowfin tuna also prefer to consume various species of shrimp if living in areas where shrimp populations are high.
  • Crab and shrimp larvae: Yellowfin tuna may also feed on crab and shrimp larvae if these crustaceans are present in the planktonic stage in those locations.

Lifestyle and Habitat of Yellowfin Tuna Fish (Thunnus albacares)

Habit:

01. Geographic Distribution

  • Global presence: Yellowfin tuna are found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They prefer to live in areas between approximately 40°N and 40°S latitude.
  • Coastal and oceanic waters: They are primarily pelagic fishes, i.e. they prefer to live in the open ocean apart from coastal waters, but in many cases can also be found close to the coast, especially in places where there are nearby islands and reefs.

02. Water Depths

  • Epipelagic zone: Yellowfin tuna Fish primarily live in the epipelagic zone, which extends from the surface to a depth of about 200 metres (656 ft). This zone is the most sunlight-accessible zone and is home to many other marine life.
  • Vertical movement: These fishes can reach up to 300 meters depth at high speed to find their food and to escape from predators and hunters and thus save their lives.

03. Temperature Preferences

  • Warm water: Yellowfin tuna prefer to live in warm waters with temperatures ranging from about 18°C ​​to 31°C (64°F to 88°F). They are often found in areas where warm ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current exist.
  • Thermocline Usage: These fish typically live in areas near the thermocline, a layer of the ocean where water temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Life Style of Yellowfin Tuna Fish

01. Social Behaviour

  • Social Structure: Yellowfin tuna are known for their gregarious behavior, often forming large mixed-species groups and foraging groups with other tuna species such as skipjack and bigeye tuna, and occasionally with dolphins.
  • Size Segregation: They form groups in herds of different sizes and bases. They do this when they have to escape from a predator or when they have to hunt.

02. Feeding Habits of Yellowfin Tuna Fish

  • Diurnal feeders: These fish mostly feed during the day, although they can sometimes eat at night if prey is available.
  • Diverse Diet: Their diet includes small pelagic fish, squid and crustaceans. They hunt mostly in the sea but can dive as deep as 300 metres in search of food.

03. Migration Patterns

  • Long-distance migrants: Yellowfin tuna fish migrate extensively within ocean basins, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometres. Their migrations are generally driven by the search for food, breeding grounds, and optimal water temperatures.
  • Spawning migration: They begin to migrate to specific spawning grounds in tropical and subtropical waters. In equatorial regions, spawning occurs year-round.

04. Reproduction

  • Spawning behavior: Yellowfin tuna fish prefer to spawn in warm, often open waters. Females release millions of eggs into the water column, which are then fertilized by males.
  • Rapid growth: Juvenile yellowfin tuna grow very quickly and reach sexual maturity at just 2 to 3 years of age. Their rapid growth helps them survive and is difficult to kill by predators.

05. Adaptations

  • Speed ​​and agility: Yellowfin tuna Fish are known for their great speed, with their powerful muscles allowing them to swim at speeds of up to 75 km/h (47 mph). This speed is important for both hunting and escaping predators
  • Endothermy: These fish have the ability to regulate their body temperature to some extent, so that they maintain a temperature higher than the surrounding water. This adaptation is known as regional endothermy.

Lifespan of Yellowfin Tuna Fish

  • Average Lifespan: Yellowfin tuna fish can generally live for about 7-8 years. This is an average estimate, as their lifespan can vary depending on environmental conditions and fishing pressure.
  • Maximum recorded lifespan: The maximum recorded lifespan of yellowfin tuna is about 11 years. Still, it is rare for these fish to live up to 10 years.

Reference by- Wikipedia

https://bytica.net/yellowfin-tuna-fish-classification/

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