| Albacore Tuna - (Thunnus alalunga ) | ||
| Maximum weight: | 130 lbs |
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| I.G.F.A. record: | 118 lbs | |
| Temperature range: | 10°C to 25°C
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| Identifying features: | The body of the albacore tapers at both ends
(cigar-shaped). The head is long and the mouth fairly large. The color is
dark gray to metallic blue on the back becoming white to gray below. Albacore
are easily distinguished from the other tunas, with exception of the bigeye,
by the extreme length of their pectoral fins (they extend well past the
anal fin). Albacore and bigeye can best be distinguished by the characteristics
of their livers. The albacore has a heavily striated (covered with blood
vessels) liver while the liver of the bigeye is only lightly striated along
the edges.
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| Typical location: |
They are rarely taken near shore. Albacore have a preference for deep blue oceanic water and mild temperatures. Studies indicate that 57 of every 100 albacore caught are hooked in water ranging in temperature between 15°C and 17°C. Albacore travel in loosely knit schools which are located by trolling or observing surface signs (feeding birds, etc.). |
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