Fish Identification Photos: Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: The Yellowfin Tuna, perhaps the king of the tunas, is characterized by its “tuna-like” body, dark blue metallic back, yellow to silver sides, and belly with 20 broken slanting vertical white lines. The Yellowfin Tuna has very large anal and second dorsal fins. The dorsal fins are quite close together, and it has bright yellow anal and dorsal fins and finlets, with narrow black boarders.

The Yellowfin Tuna is not easily confused with other species. However it is similar in appearance to the Albacore, Thunnus alalunga (which has extraordinarily long pectoral fins and dark gray finlets), the Bigeye Tuna, Thunnus obesus (which has a very deep body, big eyes, yellow finlets edged in black, and an iridescent blue band down its side), and the Northern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus orientalis (which has short pectoral fins, a second dorsal that is reddish brown, and dusky yellow finlets with black edges).

The Yellowfin Tuna is a highly prized game fish due its energetic long runs and excellent eating qualities.

The Yellowfin Tuna is a member of the Scombridae or Tuna, Bonito, and Mackerel Family found in Mexican waters. The Yellowfin Tuna is an oceanic pelagic schooling species that is seasonal. The Yellowfin Tuna is found in all Mexican waters, including the oceanic islands, with the exception of waters north of about Puertecitos in the Sea of Cortez. It is normally found in the first 750 feet of the water column and sometimes travels with dolphins.

The Yellowfin Tuna is reported to reach a length of over seven feet and close to 400 pounds. The I.F.G.A all tackle world record, as of 2004, stood at 388 pounds, 12 ounces, caught in Mexican waters. The smaller, up to 5-pound models are known by locals as “footballs.”

This species is caught by a variety of methods including the flylining or slow trolling of live bait (caballitos, chihuil, mackerel, mullet, sardines, etc.), on trolled feathers or hoochies, or off the bottom with live bait or yo-yo iron. They are viewed by locals as a prized catch that provides great bagging rights.

Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: Underwater photo of large tuna taken at El Banco, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on August 14, 2004, taken by Fernando Boyer. Photo courtesy Daniel Alanis, Master Baiters Sportfishing. Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: School-sized Yellowfin Tuna caught at East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Baja On The Fly. Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: A 290-pound Yellowfin Tuna caught at Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Pisces Fleet. Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: A 352-pound Yellowfin Tuna caught 10 miles east of Cabo Pulmo, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on August 24, 2000, by Ernie Lopez from Los Angeles, and Javier Gonzalez and Manuel Lopez from Phoenix. Photo courtesy Hotel Palmas de Cortez. Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares: Yellowfin Tuna caught at Las Arenas, south of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, September 2002 by Tail Hunter International anglers: Jeff Wickline of Playa del Rey, Calif.; Ivan Urrutia of Miramar, Fla.; Tim Gatlin of La Verne, Calif.; and Mark Costa of San Diego. Photo courtesy Jonathan Roldan.