Species profile
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
At a glance
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (Washington); the most generous is 10 (California).
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 34.7 in (≈ 2 ft 11 in).
Confirmed by 37 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Hawaii, Texas, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Yellowfin tuna can exceed 400 pounds and reach over 7 feet in length.
- Their bright yellow second dorsal fin and anal fin elongate dramatically as the fish matures.
- Yellowfin frequently school alongside dolphins, whales, and other tuna species in the open ocean.
- They can dive to depths greater than 1,000 meters when pursuing prey.
- In Hawaii, yellowfin are called 'ahi' and are a prized choice for sushi and sashimi.
Where Yellowfin Tuna are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Yellowfin Tuna
Background
The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a species of tuna found in pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Yellowfin 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.