Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga Bonnaterre, 1788

Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is a marine fish of the family Scombridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–25°C (50–77°F).

Albacore care at a glance

Temperature
10–25°C (50–77°F)

Biology

An epipelagic and mesopelagic, oceanic species, abundant in surface waters of 15.6? to 19.4?C; deeper swimming, large albacore are found in waters of 13.5? to 25.2?C; temperatures as low as 9.5?C may be tolerated for short periods. Known to concentrate along thermal discontinuities. Form mixed schools with skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and bluefin tuna (T. maccoyii), schools may be associated with floating objects, including sargassum weeds. Feed on fishes, crustaceans and squids. Eggs and larvae are pelagic. Sexual maturity reached at 90 cm. Highly appreciated and marketed fresh, smoked, deep frozen or canned. Eaten steamed, broiled, fried and microwaved. Also. The American Albacore Fishing Association Pacific (North and S

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Thunnus alalunga
Family
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
140
Common length
100.0
Depth range
0–600 m (0–1969 ft)
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 600 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Cosmopolitan in tropical and temperate waters of all oceans including the Mediterranean Sea but not at the surface between 10?N and 10?S. Western Pacific: range extend in a broad band between 40?N and 40?S. Often confused with juvenile Thunnus obesus which also have very long pectorals but with rounded tips. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.13-0.18; tm=4-6; tmax=10; Fec=2 million)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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