The yellowfin tuna is a well known food fish which is renowned for its taste and flavour. Among tuna varieties it is second only to the bluefin in size and taste. The yellowfin is without a doubt one of the largest tuna species, reaching weights in excess of 300 pounds. However the average fish does not reach these mammoth sizes.
The fish derives its name from the vivid yellow colour of its anal fin, second dorsal fin and finlets. Another distinguishing feature of the species is that in mature fish the anal and second dorsal fins are often very long, with a sickle or scimitar shape, extending almost as far as the tail. The pectoral fins also are fairly long. The body area of the yellowfin is a deep metallic blue, fading to a silver colour on the lower parts, with a number of vertical lines on the belly.
Although the yellowfin spends the majority of its lifetime in the upper regions of the ocean waters, they have been known to dive to considerable depths on occasion.
Diving to far depths and more activity generally take place during the daytime, with more shallow swimming at night. This is considered to be a result of prey movements in the ocean. The yellowfin is classified as a schooling fish, and generally spends its time with its habitual school.
The species is most commonly found in offshore deep waters, but are also found near seashores where suitable conditions exist, such as the Maldive Islands, the Caribbean and the Western Pacific islands.
The shape of the yellowfin’s body is optimized for speed, allowing them to successfully pursue and catch prey such as saury, mackerel and flying fish. They also consume such species as anchovies, lanternfish, sardines and skipjack tuna. Adult yellowfins are only threatened by the largest and fastest ocean predators.
This tuna variety constitutes a large proportion of the yearly fishing harvest of the Maldives. The yellowfin catch is exported to many countries as well as being consumed locally by the residents of the islands.
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