E-Fauna BC Home

Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Albacore
Family: Scombridae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Brian Klinkenberg     (Photo ID #12069)

Map

Source: Distribution of Thunnus alalunga as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 16. Anterior spines much higher than posterior spines giving the fin a strongly concave outline. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body with very small scales. Pectoral fins remarkably long, about 30% of fork length or longer in 50 cm or longer fish. Ventral surface of liver striated and the central lobe is largest.

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Biology

Species 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 (Ref. 168). Known to concentrate along thermal discontinuities (Ref. 168). 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 (Ref. 168). Feed on fishes, crustaceans and squids. Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Sexual maturity reached at 90 cm (Ref. 36731). Environment: pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 0 - 600 m (Ref. 168). Climate: subtropical; 10 – 25°C (Ref. 168); 59°N - 46°S, 180°W - 180°E

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Distribution

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 (Ref. 9684). 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 (Ref. 26139).

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Germo alalonga Jordan, 1888
Orcynus alalonga Risso, 1826
Scomber alatunga Gmelin, 1789
Thunnus pacificus South, 1845

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

© 2014 E-Fauna BC  Contact us