The Habitat of Tuna

There are many species of tuna ranging from weights of 20 pounds to well over 1000 pounds, Tunas tend to swim, migrate and spawn in subtropical waters ranging in temperatures of 60 degrees to 85 degrees farenheit in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with different species found around the world with average life spans ranging from six to 20 years.

  1. Bluefin Tuna

    • With the average length being 78 inches, the bluefin tuna is the largest of all the tuna species. Bluefin tuna are found in subtropical water temperatures, traveling as far north as Canada and Norway and as far south as Brazil and the Canary Islands. Bluefin tuna also frequent the waters of the Pacific ocean, migrating to parts of the United States, as well as the Philippines, Mexico and Alaska. These tuna have a lifespan of 15 years and travel in schools of many fish, migrating north toward the North American Pacific coast and Japan.

    Yellowfin Tuna

    • Commonly found in tropical waters with temperatures between 64 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Younger yellowfin tuna stay close the water's surface, while adult tuna are found at greater ocean depths. Yellowfin tuna travel in schools, but tend to travel with larger fish like dolphins. Yellowfin tuna have a life span of six to seven years with a weight of 400 pounds. Yellowfin tuna spawn in waters of 75 degrees Fahrenheit during spring and fall seasons in the tropical pacific ocean.

    Albacore Tuna

    • The smaller of the tuna species at 10 to 25 pounds and five feet long, Albacore tuna are found swimming in deep, open waters at a temperature of 60 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit on the North American west coast in the month of July and October to spawn. During the summer months Albacore tuna are found in the mid-Pacific. Albacore tuna school with other tuna species feeding on squid and other crustaceans feeding close to the water's surface.

    Bigeye Tuna

    • These tuna are found in the waters around Nova Scotia down to Argentina in water depths of 800 feet, swimming at deeper depths than other tuna species. Bigeye tuna range in length from one and a half feet to five and a half feet with a lifespan of 9 years. Bigeye tuna migrate in schools with other tuna and associate with whale sharks and sea mounts.