Animal Species:Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau, 1872)

The Southern Bluefin Tuna is a fast-swimming pelagic species that occurs circum-globally in southern temperate waters.

Alternative Name/s

Bluefin, Japanese Central Pacific Bluefin Tuna, SBT, Southern Tuna, Southern Tunny

Identification

The species has relatively short pectoral fins and lacks distinctive body patterning.

Size range

2.25 m (fork length)

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Thunnus maccoyii

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Southern Bluefin specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Conservation Status

See Further Reading, below.

Classification

Species:
maccoyii
Genus:
Thunnus
Family:
Scombridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

Further Reading

  1. Australian endangered species: Southern Bluefin Tuna. 2013. Australian endangered species: Southern Bluefin Tuna. [ONLINE] Available at: http://theconversation.com/australian-endangered-species-southern-bluefin-tuna-11636. [Accessed 13 May 2013].

References

  1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Pepperell, J. 2010. Fishes of the Open Ocean. A natural history & illustrated guide. University of NSW Press. Pp. 266.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus maccoyii, Scombridae, grey, silver, blue, yellow, 'normal fish', > 1 m, countershaded, pelagic, marine, adult,