Dogtooth tuna
(Gymnosarda unicolor)
General data
The dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor, also known as white tuna, is a species of pelagic marine fish which belongs to the family Scombridae.
Description
The dogtooth tuna can reach a length of 190 to 248 centimetres (75 to 98 in) in males and a weight of 130 kilograms (287 lb). The average length commonly observed is around 40 to 120 centimetres (16 to 47 in).
They have 12 to 14 dorsal soft rays and 12 to 13 anal soft rays. The lateral line undulates strongly. These large tunas have a streamlined shape and a distinctive body coloration: brilliant blue-green on the back, silvery on the side, and whitish on the belly, with two white tips on the two back fins close to the caudal peduncle. They always swim with open jaws. The upper jaw of the large mouth reaches the eye.
Distribution
The dogtooth tuna is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to French Polynesia and oceanic islands of the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii excluded), north to Japan, south to Australia.
