Blackfin tuna

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Blackfin tuna

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
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

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]

Description

Blackfin tuna are the smallest species of tuna. The All-Tackle world record blackfin tuna was caught off the coast of Florida and weighed 20.6 kg (45 lb 7 oz).[5] Their oval shaped bodies have a dark blue to black colored back. The sides and belly of the fish are silver, which gives them an iridescent appearance in the water, with a lateral yellow stripe. They have durable, compact scales with an oblique mouth.[5][2]

Blackfin tuna have small dorsal

ventral surface on their liver found in the chest cavity, while other species have striations on their ventral surface.[5]

Biology/Ecology

Blackfin tuna hunt both

stomatopods, and the larvae of decapods.[2][3] They consume smaller prey by filtering the water and chase to catch larger prey.[5]

This species is host to 9 known parasites including Digenea, Monogenea, cestoda, nematoda copepods, and cookiecutter shark. The remaining parasites are parasitic copepods like caligus coryphaena, C. productus, Euryphorus brachpterus, and pseudocycnus.[5]

Life History

They are a short-lived, fast-growing species; a 5-year-old fish would be considered old. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 years when they weigh roughly 4-6 lbs.[6] Juvenile stages of all Tuna species are very similar due to close life histories, although the species have significant differences as adults.[7]

Spawning typically occurs off the coast of Florida in the months between April and November. In the Gulf of Mexico and near northern Brazil spawning occurs from June to September.[5][8] In fact, the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the most ideal spawning sites for blackfin tuna. The physiochemical make-up of the Gulf of Mexico makes it an indispensable nursery habitat.[8] One factor potentially influencing the favorable conditions of the Gulf of Mexico is the nutrient outflow from the Mississippi River; this outflow feeds the high metabolism of larval blackfin tuna.[8]

Blackfin tuna are a warmer-water fish, preferring water temperatures over 20 °C (68 °F).[6] The females release eggs into the water column to be fertilized by sperm. Fertilization of their eggs produces pelagic larvae which can be found on the surface of the water all the way to depths of 164 feet.[5][7]

Blackfin tuna are preyed on by other, larger fish species such as

blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). Various species of sea birds prey on blackfin tuna throughout their life cycle, and cannibalism has occurred as well.[5]

Sustainable consumption

In 2010, Greenpeace International did not add the blackfin tuna, unlike other tuna species, to its seafood red list. [9]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T155276A4764002.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2018). "Thunnus atlanticus" in FishBase. February 2018 version.
  3. ^ a b c d e "IGFA Member Services". International Game Fish Association. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  4. ^
    doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2011-2.rlts.t155276a4764002.en. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help
    )
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Thunnus atlanticus". Florida Museum. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  6. ^ a b "Biological Info: Blackfin Tuna". Seagrant Fish: Louisiana Fisheries.
  7. ^
    ISSN 0171-8630
    .
  8. ^
    doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2017.12.015
    .
  9. ^ Greenpeace International Seafood Red list Archived February 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blackfin_tuna&oldid=1218588335"