Species profile
Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus atlanticus
At a glance
Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (Florida); the most generous is 3 (Louisiana).
Confirmed by 34 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The smallest Atlantic tuna species, rarely exceeding 45 pounds.
- Found only in the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
- Firm, dark-red flesh makes it one of the most prized tunas at the table.
- Typical lifespan is about 5 years, short even among tunas.
- Spawns in warm surface waters primarily from April through November.
Where Blackfin Tuna are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Blackfin Tuna
Background
The blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is the smallest tuna species in the Thunnus genus, generally growing to a maximum of 100 cm (39 in) in length and weighing 21 kg (46 lbs).
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Blackfin Tuna article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.