Fish profile · Scombridae

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

SportSaltwaterNative to MalaysiaLeast Concern (IUCN)

Yellowfin tuna is a migratory ocean predator with bright yellow fins and a streamlined body. It travels through tropical and subtropical seas, sometimes schooling with other tunas. Malaysian fisheries authorities list it among oceanic tuna caught by the country’s vessels.

Last reviewed 26 October 2026 · 6 sources

Photo of Yellowfin tuna — (c) Michel Frisch, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY

Max length: 183 cm
Max weight: 181 kg
IUCN: LC; Least Concern
In Malaysia: Native
Family: Scombridae; order Perciformes

Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.

How big?

Linear scale · person 170 cm

Up to 183 cm and 181 kg.

The person is 170 cm tall.

How to identify

Streamlined body with a dark metallic-blue back
Bright yellow dorsal and anal fins and finlets
Long yellow fins in larger fish and a yellow band along the side

Habitat

Open ocean

Highly migratory fish using near-surface oceanic water.

Diet: Fish, squid and crustaceans.
Native range: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

Eating

Firm, relatively lean flesh has a mild, meaty flavour; the red raw flesh becomes brownish when cooked.

More photos

Yellowfin tuna, photo 2 — (c) luluchouette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY

Sources

Last reviewed 26 October 2026