Common names: Yellowfin Tuna, Pacific Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
The Yellowfin Tuna is found in open waters of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide.
It is an epipelagic fish ranging in the top 100m (330 feet) of the water column. It has been reported to be up to 239cm (94 inches) in length and 200kg (440lb) in weight.
The fish is also known as Ahi, after the Hawaiian word for "fire".
The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both bright yellow, thus the common name, and can be very long in mature specimens, as are the pectoral fins. The main body is very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly, which also has about 20 vertical lines.
Yellowfins tend to school with fishes of the same size, including other species of tuna, and larger fish are often seen with dolphins, porpoises, whales and whale sharks.
Yellowfins eat other fish, Crustaceans and Squid.
Commercial fisheries catch Yellowfin Tuna with encircling nets and with longlines.
While available year round, Tuna can be harder to source in the summer, when the fish follow the monsoon season around the Indian Ocean.
It can be flash grilled, griddled, barbecued or pan-fried but avoid baking as it will dry out. It is often cooked seared to rare to medium-rare.
