B, T - December 19, 2020

TUNA, BIGEYE

Scientific Name:

Thunnus obesus

Fish Group:

Tuna

Salt/Fresh:

Salt

Also Known As:

TUNA, BIGEYE; ahi; Atlantic Bigeye Tuna; Bigeye Tuna

Rating:

Countries:

Australia

New Zealand

Other Countries

Description:

A large member of the Tuna family often confused with the Yellowfin Tuna.

How To Identify:

Bigeye tuna are generally smaller than Bluefin and larger than Yellowfin. They are long and streamlined, have dark metallic blue on their backs and upper sides, and are nearly white on their lower sides and belly. They can live as long as 10 to 12 years. The Bigeye Tuna is an important food fish and prized recreational game fish. Bigeye tuna vary up to 250 centimetres in length. Its maximum weight probably exceeds 400 pounds, with the all-tackle angling record standing at 392 pounds. They are large, deep-bodied, streamlined fish with large heads and eyes. The pectoral fins are very long, reaching back as far as the second dorsal fin. They display 13 or 14 dorsal spines.

How To Catch:

The Bigeye tuna mostly eats squid, crustaceans, mullet, sardines, small mackerels and some deep water species. Fishing methods include trolling deep with squid, mullet or other small baits, or artificial lures and live bait fishing in deep waters with similar baits. It is an excellent food or sport fish, an important commercial species also.

Where Found:

Found all the way out to the continental shelf from lower NSW right around the north to south/west corner of WA. Likes warm currents and clean water.

TUNA, BIGEYE

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