Tuna, is a large fish of the Scombridae family mostly belonging to the Thunnus genus, mainly living in warm sea, about 185 km from the shore. There are more than 48 species of tuna, among them, there are 5 common species of tuna with high commercial value. In addition, because of the rich nutrition that tuna brings, they are very popular. 

What are the outstanding characteristics of these five tuna species that are most popular?

Bluefin are the largest tuna and can live up to 40 years. An average bluefin tuna weighs 150 kg. There are three species of bluefin: Atlantic (the largest and most endangered), Pacific, and Southern. Most catches of the Atlantic bluefin tuna are taken from the Mediterranean Sea, which is the most important bluefin tuna fishery in the world.

Yellowfin Tuna are torpedo-shaped with dark metallic blue backs, yellow sides, and a silver belly. They have very long anal and dorsal fins and finlets that are bright yellow. Yellowfin can live up to six or seven years. They are highly migratory and are found throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They form schools with other tunas like skipjack and bigeye.

Bigeye tuna are generally the size of yellowfin, and smaller than bluefin. They are long and streamlined, have dark metallic blue on their backs and upper sides, and are nearly white on their lower sides and belly. They can live as long as 15 years. Bigeye are found in the subtropical and tropical areas of the Atlantic (but not in the Mediterranean), Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Skipjack are the smallest and most abundant of the major commercial tuna species. They have a streamlined body that is mostly without scales. Their backs are dark purple-blue and their lower sides and bellies are silver with four to six dark bands. Skipjack can live as long as eight to 10 years. They are found mainly in the tropical areas of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, with the greatest abundance seen near the equator.

Albacore is one of the smaller tuna species, reaching sizes between skipjack and yellowfin. They are bullet-shaped with a dark blue back and lighter blue-gray sides and belly. They tend to travel in single species schools, without the level of mixing as seen in other species and migrate throughout all ocean waters and the Mediterranean.

Source: Wikipedia

www.worldwildlife.org

NOAA fisheries