Yellowfin Tuna

Where it lives

Yellowfin range across tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They live in the upper 100 m of warm water but make routine dives below the thermocline to feed. They follow temperature fronts, current edges, and floating debris — drifting logs and FADs aggregate them.

How to recognise it

A long, deep-bodied tuna with a metallic dark blue back fading through yellow flanks to a silvery belly with faint vertical lines. The defining features are the elongated, bright yellow second dorsal and anal fins of adults, and a long, sickle-shaped pectoral fin reaching past the second dorsal in adults.

Diet & behavior

Yellowfin chase squid, flying fish, sardines, and small tuna at remarkable speed; tagging studies have recorded sustained bursts over 70 km/h. They often associate with dolphin and tuna-bird schools.

Fisheries & Conservation

Globally Least Concern, though some regional stocks (Indian Ocean) are overfished. Yellowfin is sold fresh, frozen, and canned under the label “light tuna.”