Top 5 Largest Tuna Species In The World

Tuna is one of the most popular foods eaten across the globe. There are various dishes that use tuna, especially our sandwiches considering its exquisite taste and nutritional value. You can even purchase them in cans where you can simply eat them on the go. 

Some people might be unaware that these tunas can grow to hundreds of pounds. Its delicious taste and high content of Omega-3 fatty acids have made it quite a popular choice. Tunas migrate millions of kilometers across the ocean and they can swim relatively fast which means catching them can be a difficult task.

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Despite that, millions of tuna have been fished each year. In Japan, for instance, there is even an auction that will be held each year where some of these tunas will be sold at a ridiculous price.

The existence of tuna has created a crucial ecosystem as they are considered food to various other species like sharks. Here we would like to share with you the top 5 largest tuna species in the world that are casually caught.

5. Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna is one of the most crucial species in the world as it is also one of the fastest and most ferocious species out there. Yellowfin tuna can grow to a huge size of at least 8 feet long and weighs 400 pounds.

It is known for long-distance traveling each year as part of their migration routine. It is closely related to their habit of laying eggs and the availability of food. This species practices an open reproductive system where both the female and male will release millions of eggs and sperm into the water.

4. Bigeye Tuna

The Bigeye tuna(due to its big eyes) is often compared to the yellowfin tuna but it is generally much smaller than the bluefin tuna. They have a metallic blue color on their backs while the rest of their bodies are almost white in color.

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This species is considered very long with a thin body. They have a lifespan of around 15 years and lived in the tropical ocean of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

They are also known to migrate long distances and they live in a pelagic environment and can be found as deep as 250 meters into the water. Restaurants tend to turn this fish into sashimis due to its soft texture and rich in good fat.

3. Southern Bluefin Tuna

The Southern Bluefin tuna or scientifically known as Thunnus maccoyii is a big fish species that are always caught by groups of commercial ships from Indonesia and Japan in the Hindi Ocean. Their lifespan is much longer than the Bigeye tuna around 20 - 40 years.

This tuna species is left for 12 years to reach maturity before being caught. It can reach a length of 2.45 meters and weighs around 200 kg. Their fins can sometimes be yellow or blue in color depending on the species.

2. Pacific Bluefin Tuna

The Pacific Bluefin tuna is a strong swimmer as its body is designed to be durable with speed. This migrating fish can travel for thousands of km in one journey as it crosses the Pacific Ocean in 5 days to reach its breeding ground.

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During their migration, the fish goes as deep as 1800 feet into the waters below the freezing temperature. Different compared to other fish species, the temperature inside the bluefin tuna can sometimes exceed that of the water.

Scientists have shown that this additional heat promotes an effective rate of metabolism which ultimately correlate with the tuna's ability to swim fast and far.

1. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

The Atlantic Bluefin tuna is the biggest tuna species in the world. Its thin body which is shaped like a torpedo is designed for speed and endurance. The Atlantic Bluefin tuna starts its life as a small larva that is merely a few millimeters long and weighs a few grams.

But that quickly changes as it reaches maturity by weighing roughly 250 kg. This warm-blooded fish can thrive in various surroundings including the cold waters of Newfoundland and Iceland.

But they typically reach their breeding ground in the Mexican Gulf and Mediterranean Ocean each year to lay eggs.

Source:

• Iluminasi

Also read: Top 7 Largest Sharks In The World