Scientific Name
Thunnus alalunga

Common Name
Albacore

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). Highly appreciated and marketed fresh, smoked, deep frozen or canned. Eaten steamed, broiled, fried and microwaved (Ref. 9987). Also Ref. 1762, 1798, 1804. The American Albacore Fishing Association Pacific (North and S

Classification

Classified By

Bonnaterre, 1788

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region

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

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).

Range

59°N - 46°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

600 m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 600 m (Ref. 168)

Trophic Level

4.31 s.e. 0.73 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

140 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (58 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.13-0.18; tm=4-6; tmax=10; Fec=2 million)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)