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Other
names:
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bermuda tuna,
blackfinned albacore
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Scientific
name:
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Thunnus
atlanticus
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Genus:
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SCOMBRIDAE
FAMILY |
Occurs in tropical and warm-temperate waters of the western
Atlantic Ocean. There are scattered records of blackfin tuna occurring
as far north as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, but
the usual range is from around North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
The pectoral fins reach to somewhere
between the twelfth dorsal spine and the origin of the second dorsal fin
but they never extend beyond the second dorsal fin as in the albacore.
There is a total of 19-25 (usually 21-23) gill rakers on the first arch
(15-19 are on the lower limb),which is fewer than in any other species
of Thunnus.
The finlets are uniformly dark, without a touch of the bright lemon yellow
usually present in those of other tunas. Light bars altenate with light
spots on the lower flanks.
This is a pelagic, schooling fish that generally feeds near the surface.
Its diet consists of small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and plankton. An
excellent light tackle species, it can be taken by trolling or casting
small baits or lures, including ballyhoo, mullet and other small fishes
as well as strip baits, spoons, feathers, jigs, or plugs; or by live bait
fishing from boats at the surface of deep waters one to two miles offshore.
It is of some commercial importance in some parts of the world, but is
predominantly an angler's fish is a spunky game species is of good quality
and flavor.
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