Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) fish species and information / pictures of Blackfin tuna - Thunnus atlanticus

Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Thunnus atlanticus

Common Name
Blackfin tuna

Biology
Found in oceanic waters, sometimes not far from the coast (Ref. 13628). Forms large mixed schools with the skipjack tuna. Its spawning grounds are located well offshore. Preys on surface and deep-sea fishes, squids, amphipods, shrimps, crabs and stomatopods and decapod larvae. The largest fishery for blackfin tuna operates off the southeastern coast of Cuba and uses live-bait and pole. Utilized fresh, dried or salted, canned and frozen (Ref. 9987).

Classification

Classified By
Lesson, 1831
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts south to Trinidad Island and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ref. 168); including south of Brazil (Ref. 36453). Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).
Range
43°N - 28°S, 100°W - 26°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
20 °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
50 m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
pelagic-oceanic
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 50 - ? m
Trophic Level
4.13 s.e. 0.70 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
108 cm
Common Length
72.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.22; tm=3; tmax=5)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)