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Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) — Scombridae

Longtail tuna

Thunnus tonggol
Family: Scombridae
LC · Least Concern

The Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 145 cm.

Length
145 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The longtail tuna is a fast open-water predator from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 145 cm and has a powerful, torpedo-shaped, blue-black body with silvery-white flanks and a row of small finlets before the relatively long tail. As a pelagic predator it schools in nearshore open water and hunts small fish, squid and crustaceans. It is an important commercial food and sport fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longtail tuna?

The Longtail tuna has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Longtail tuna live?

The Longtail tuna lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Longtail tuna get?

The Longtail tuna grows to a maximum of about 145 cm. On average the species is around 70 cm.

Is the Longtail tuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Longtail tuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Longtail tuna edible?

Yes, the Longtail tuna is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langstaart-tonijn verified
English name
Longtail tuna verified
Scientific name
Thunnus tonggol
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Bluefin tuna; Blue-fin tuna; Bonito; Indian long-tailed tuna; Longtail tuna verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
145.0 verified
Average length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
18.7000007629395 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Trollen en netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Thunnus

More from the family Scombridae

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