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Highly prized as a sports fish and one of the most valued food fish in the ocean, the blue fin tuna is dangerously close to extinction. This amazingly regal, streamline fish is one of the largest species of tuna reaching lengths of up to ten feet long and weights of close to 1500 pounds. Like most tuna the body of the blue fin tuna is large and round tapering at the tail. The outer part of the body is a shimmering blue while the underside presents a spotted silver color. Found in every warm and temperate ocean in the world these beautiful fish are known for their incredible migratory ability. The blue fin tuna is from the Perciformes order and in the Scombridae family. This is a very interesting warm blooded fish which is often characterized by its yellow fins and its amazing ability to move through the water at speeds of over thirty miles per hour when being pursued. Like most tuna, the blue fin tuna is considered part of the mackerel family. In the beginning when it was discovered what an incredible difference there was in the tunas circulatory system and bone structure this fish was at one time classified in an order that was its own. Even today scientist differ in their opinions concerning the classification of this fish.
Blue fin tuna are usually found in warmer and more moderate areas of the ocean such as the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic sea from the European coast north to Norway, the North sea and from time to time in some areas of the Baltic Sea. On the eastern coast of America, the blue fin tuna has been spotted in areas that are as far north as Newfoundland. The main diet of fantastic creature will usually consist of schooling fish such as gar, herring and mackerel. It is an amazing sight to watch the blue fin tuna when it is pursuing its prey. They will swim just beneath the surface of the water traveling tremendous distances at high speed just to feast on their prey. The blue fin tuna is one of seven different species of tuna that are found in the Thunnus genus. Others in the genus include the albacore, southern blue fin tuna, long tail tuna, big eye tuna, yellow fin tuna and black fin tuna. Although all the species in this genus are considered to be large fish, the blue fin tuna is by far the largest. Migrations of this fish have fascinated mankind for centuries with numerous studies being done over the last century in an attempt to track this activity. Amazingly, it was learned that some species of tuna will travel thousands of miles during their migrations.
The spawning season for most species begins in June with huge schools of tuna moving toward the Mediterranean coastline. Some have observed thousands of these fish traveling together during this time period with a sheer determination that even over rides their need to feed. Once they have reached their destination they will establish their feeding grounds and begin the mating process. After mating the females will deposit small eggs that tend to develop rapidly. The juveniles will appear in around two days and begin immediately to feed. As the cooler months of fall close in the juveniles, which by now are quite large due to the speed at which they grow, will move away from the adults and migrate to the open ocean to feed. During the spawning season fishermen move in to grab large catches of this tasty fish which it is feared will eventually decrease the tunas numbers due to over fishing. Of the different species that are caught, the blue fin tuna is highly rated due to its delicious dark red meat. Although much is known about the migration habits and spawning habits of this fish, very little is known concerning where they spend the their time outside of these activities. It is known that the blue fin tuna can live up to forty years and is by far the most traveled occupant of the ocean. Studies have shown that this fish is capable of covering the entire span of the Atlantic Ocean in less than fifty days. This would make the blue fin tuna one of the fastest moving fish in the ocean. The main predators of the blue fin tuna are the killer whale that usually captures this great fish during the migration periods when it is swimming in open water.
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