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🌊 Marine Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Temperate

Southern bluefin tuna

Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau, 1872
Max Length
245 cm
Max Weight
260.0 kg
Lifespan
20 yrs
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
0–2743 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
67.00/100
Typical Length
160 cm
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

By maturity, most southern bluefin tuna lead an oceanic, pelagic existence . Spawning fish and larvae are encountered in waters with surface temperatures between 20° and 30°C. An opportunistic feeder, preying on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods, salps, and other marine animals. Mostly canned . A specialized fishery for sashimi-quality has been developed recently by New Zealand fishers. In Japan, it is highly prized for the sashimi markets.

Scientific Name
Thunnus maccoyii
Authority
Castelnau, 1872
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
245 cm
Max Weight
260 kg
Lifespan
20 years
Depth Range
0–2743 m
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
67.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Water Temp
5–20 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 39. A very large species, deepest near the middle of the first dorsal fin base. Swim bladder present. Lower sides and belly silvery white with colorless transverse lines alternating with rows of colorless dots. The first dorsal fin is yellow or bluish; the anal fin and finlets are dusky yellow edged with black; the median caudal keel is yellow in adults.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Southern bluefin tuna is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Southern bluefin tuna is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
122cm TL

It is not known whether all mature fish spawn each year, every few years, or even only once in their lifetime .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 2743 m . Temperate; 5°C - 20°C ; 10°S - 60°S, 180°W - 180°E west coast of Australia, up to 10°S.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.9±0.53

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01259 × L3.03 (TL)
Max TL
245cm
Max FL
160cm
Max Weight
260,000g
Vertebrae
39

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
5–20°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2021

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
67.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Castelnau, 1872

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 23.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 740 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Southern bluefin tuna has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

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