Atlantic bluefin tuna

Thunnus thynnus · The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a giant tuna that lives in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Also called Northern bluefin tuna, Giant bluefin tuna, Tunny, Blue-fin tunny, Bluefin tunny.

Atlantic bluefin tuna
Photo: Jean Ogden Just Chaos Photography, CC BY 2.0
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Photo: Takashi Hososhima, CC BY-SA 2.0
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Photo: Danilo Cedrone (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), Public domain

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderScombriformes
FamilyScombridae
GenusThunnus
SpeciesThunnus thynnus

Where it lives

Open seas from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland, Norway, the Canaries and Mediterranean.

Fun facts

  • Atlantic bluefin tuna have been recorded at up to 680 kg, which makes them one of the largest bony fishes, rivaling marlins and swordfish.
  • In 1934, six men taking turns fought one bluefin tuna for 62 hours near Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in the longest contest between man and tuna.
  • Bluefin tuna are warm-blooded and can keep their core muscles warm in cold water, which lets them hunt in the chilly North Atlantic.
  • Bluefins can dive to depths of 1,006 metres.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).