Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Blackfin tuna
Size:
Blackfin tuna are one of the smaller tuna species, growing up to 39 inches (1 meter) and 46 pounds (21 kilograms). They are usually taken at 20 inches (0.51 meters) and 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms).
Diet:
The diet of the blackfin tuna includes squid, amphipods, shrimp, crabs, and small fish.
Range & Habitat:
Blackfin tuna are found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to southern Brazil, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. They are usually found in near the continental shelf in the warm surface layer of the water. During the summer, they migrate to temperate waters that do not drop below 70°F.
Details:
Blackfin tuna are a migratory species, and are an important species to commercial and recreational fisheries. They have torpedo-shaped bodies, with a bluish-black back and a white belly. They have a stripe of bronze along the lateral line.