Blackfin tuna

Blackfin tuna
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scombriformes
Family: Scombridae
Tribe: Thunnini
Genus: Thunnus
Subgenus: Neothunnus
Species:
T. atlanticus
Binomial name
Thunnus atlanticus
(Lesson, 1831)
Synonyms[2]
  • Thynnus atlanticus Lesson, 1831
  • Parathunnus atlanticus (Lesson, 1831)
  • Scomber coretta Cuvier, 1829
  • Thunnus coretta (Cuvier, 1829)
  • Thynnus coretta (Cuvier, 1829)
  • Thynnus balteatus Cuvier, 1832
  • Orcynus balteatus (Cuvier, 1832)
  • Thunnus balteatus (Cuvier, 1832)
  • Parathunnus rosengarteni Fowler, 1934
  • Parathunnus ambiguus Mowbray, 1935

The blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is a species of tuna in the family Scombridae. It is occasionally referred to as the Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore, or deep bodied tunny.[3] They are the smallest tuna species in the genus Thunnus, generally growing to a maximum of 100 cm (39 in) in length and weighing 21 kg (46 lb).[4]

Blackfin tuna are considered tropical, warm water fish. They have a relatively small distribution throughout the Eastern Coast of North and South America. They are located from Massachusetts to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and also inhabit the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.[5][2]

The blackfin tuna has less commercial value than its close relatives like the yellowfin, bluefin, and skipjack tuna, but is still a major sport fish in Florida and regions of the Caribbean like Cuba and the Bahamas.[4][5] However, the taste and quality of blackfin tuna is comparable to that of its popular relatives, and can be prepared in the same ways. It is also sushi grade. Methods of capture include trolling, drift fishing, and sport fishing with a pole and live bait or lures like ballyhoo, mullet, small fishes or strip baits, feathers, jigs, or plugs.[3][5]

As of 2010, blackfin tuna were deemed "least concern" by the IUCN.[4]

  1. ^ Collette, B.; Amorim, A.F.; Boustany, A.; Carpenter, K.E.; Dooley, J.; de Oliveira Leite Jr.; N.; Fox, W.; Fredou, F.L.; Fritzsche, R.; Graves, J.; Viera Hazin, F.H.; Juan Jorda, M.; Kada, O.; Minte Vera, C.; Miyabe, N.; Nelson, J.; Nelson, R.; Oxenford, H.; Teixeira Lessa, R.P.; Pires Ferreira Travassos, P.E. (2011). "Thunnus atlanticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T155276A4764002. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T155276A4764002.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Thunnus atlanticus". FishBase. February 2018 version.
  3. ^ a b "IGFA Member Services". International Game Fish Association. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  4. ^ a b c IUCN (2010-09-15). "Thunnus atlanticus: Collette, B., Amorim, A.F., Boustany, A., Carpenter, K.E., Dooley, J., de Oliveira Leite Jr., N., Fox, W., Fredou, F.L., Fritzsche, R., Graves, J., Viera Hazin, F.H., Juan Jorda, M., Kada, O., Minte Vera, C., Miyabe, N., Nelson, J., Nelson, R., Oxenford, H., Teixeira Lessa, R.P. & Pires Ferreira Travassos, P.E.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T155276A4764002". doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2011-2.rlts.t155276a4764002.en. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Thunnus atlanticus". Florida Museum. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2022-04-29.