Tuna
Template:Taxobox begin
Template:Taxobox image
Template:Taxobox begin placement
Template:Taxobox regnum entry
Template:Taxobox phylum entry
Template:Taxobox classis entry
Template:Taxobox ordo entry
Template:Taxobox familia entry
Template:Taxobox genus entry
South, 1845
Template:Taxobox end placement
Template:Taxobox section subdivision
Thunnus alalunga
Thunnus albacares
Thunnus atlanticus
Thunnus maccoyii
Thunnus obesus
Thunnus orientalis
Thunnus thynnus
Thunnus tonggol
Template:Taxobox end
Tuna are several species of ocean-dwelling fish in the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers and include several species that are warm-blooded. Unlike most ocean fish species, which have white flesh, the flesh of tuna is pink. This is because the tuna's blood has a higher oxygen carrying ability than other fish species. Some of the larger tuna species such as the bluefin tuna can raise their blood temperature above the water temperature with muscular activity. This enables them to live in cooler waters and survive a wider range of circumstances.
Tuna is a popular seafood. Some varieties of tuna, such as the bluefin, are endangered because of overfishing, while others are parts of well maintained fisheries, such as the bigeye or yellowfin.
Mercury levels are oftentimes relatively high in tuna, as they sit higher in the food chain and accumulate heavy metals taken up in their diet. Because of this, the United States FDA in March 2004 issued guidelines recommending pregnant women, nursing mothers and children to limit their intake of tuna and other types of predatory fish.
It is difficult to keep tuna in a captive environment; Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the few aquariums in the world that successfully keep tuna in display.
Types include:
- Bluefin tuna, which can grow to 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Yellowfin tuna
- Albacore tuna
- Bigeye tuna
Tuna are a common target for big-game fishing, and are mostly caught on artificial lures.
Other species
Species of several other genera (all in Scombridae) are commonly named "tuna":
- Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis
- Slender tuna Allothunnus fallai
- Bullet tuna Auxis rochei rochei
- Frigate tuna Auxis thazard thazard
- Kawakawa (little tuna or mackerel tuna) Euthynnus affinis
- Little tunny (little tuna) Euthynnus alletteratus
- Butterfly kingfish (Butterfly tuna) Gasterochisma melampus
- Dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor
