Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Order: Perciformes   |   Family: Scombridae   |    Genus: Thunnus   |   Species: obesus

At Chubby Fish, our secondary market is Bigeye Tuna. This species is found in the open waters of all temperate and tropical waters except for the Mediterranean Sea.  Its length is between 60 and 200 cm (23 to 93 inches) and it can reach weights of 400 lbs. The bigeye tuna has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Bigeye tuna have large heads and eyes. They are metallic blue with a long iridescent blue band that runs along each flank, and their bellies are grayish-white; their dorsal and anal fins are a distinctive yellow color.

Bigeye tuna are divers and spend long periods of time cruising in deep, cold waters; they can make the physiological adjustments necessary to survive in waters as cold as five degrees Celsius. They can see even in limited light, and can efficiently extract oxygen from the water. Bigeye tuna are highly prized game fish for the recreational sport fishermen, and their meat is another desirable as well for both sushi and sashimi.