Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Also known as: Ahi; Yellowfin
Size & Weight
Average Length
56.4"
Max Length
94.0"
Average Weight
100.0 lbs
Max Weight
441.0 lbs
Lifespan
9 years
Habitat
Depth Range
0 - 800 ft
Water Temp
64-77°F
Open ocean; tropical/warm waters; pelagic; offshore
Behavior
Spawning Season
Tropical waters year-round
Migration: Highly migratory; follow warm water; occasional PNW during warm years
Diet: Fish; squid; crustaceans
Fishing Tips
PNW Season
Rare in PNW; El Niño years
Techniques: Trolling; chunking; live bait
Best Bait: Live bait; squid; trolling lures
Eating Quality
Edibility
Excellent
Premium sashimi; firm; mild
State Records
California
265.0
lbs
Fun Facts
Distinctive yellow fins; primarily tropical; occasional warm water incursions to PNW
How to Identify
Distinctive yellow fins (finlets); primarily tropical; similar to Bluefin but smaller; occasional PNW warm water visitor
Commonly Confused With
Compare Side-by-SideOfficial Resources
Sources: NOAA; CDFW
Change History (Last updated Feb 04, 2026 at 06:14 AM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 04, 2026 06:14 AM | Updated Native Or Introduced | Native (migratory) | — |
| Feb 04, 2026 06:13 AM | Added image | — | species-84-7157d1be33f96919.jpg |
| Feb 04, 2026 06:12 AM | Added image | — | species-84-c17ddff466baba8e.jpg |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:33 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 56.4 |