Bluefin Tuna

Pacific Bluefin Tuna

There are several types of bluefin tunas that can be found around the world including the Atlantic bluefin, the Pacific bluefin, longtail, and the southern bluefin. Bluefins are the largest of tunas and most are endangered species because of being heavily overfished.

The Pacific bluefin, or , shown here, lives mainly in the North Pacific around North America’s west coast and as far east as east Asia. They generally grow to just under five feet and live on a diet of krill, crabs, small fish, squid, herring and mackerel.

Spawning occurs during the spring and summer depending on its region. The female carries millions of eggs, which are fertilized by the male as they are produced. The eggs hatch into larvae within a few days. Bluefin tuna can live up to 15 years or more.

Text source: Wikipedia under Creative Commons license.

Other text references: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Thunnus_thynnus/

© Copyright Vince Capone 2013