AnimalID

Name

5422

Blue Fin Tuna

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General Information

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Description:

Thunnus thynnus, the bluefin tuna, is the largest member of the group of bony fishes, the group that most of the world's fishes belong to. The bluefin is a member of the mackerel family, once known as the horse mackerel. Both the northern and southern varieties of this fish can reach weights of over 1000 pounds.

The bluefin tuna is dark in color--blue to black on the sides and back, with a lighter underside, like most fish. A yellow strip extending from the snout along the body generally disappears soon after the fish dies. These fish average six feet in length and 300 pounds, but some can grow much larger. The shape of the bluefin allows it to swim very quickly--an important skill for a predator. Small finlets behind the anal fin keep water vortices from forming and slowing the fish as it swims. Large, thick scales reduce drag, permitting these predators to attain speeds over fifty miles per hour. A small cone-shaped head and a thin crescent-shaped tail complete the hydrodynamic shape. Like all bony fish, the bluefin tuna has its teeth fixed in the upper jaw. A swim bladder provides buoyancy. This swim bladder is an air filled sac located near the stomach of the fish.

The bluefin tuna is a piscavore--a carnivore whose diet is mainly made up of other fish. With large mouths and small stomachs, bluefins need frequent meals. Some of the favorite meals of the northern bluefin are mackerel, bonito, bluefish, menhaden, and herring.

Unlike most fish, the bluefin tuna has blood warmer than the surrounding water, although it is not truly warm-blooded. The muscle temperatures of these fish can be as much as twenty degrees warmer than temperature of the surrounding water, allowing for higher degrees of activity than other fish. The bluefin tuna accomplishes this using special tiny blood vessels that carry blood to be warmed by muscle activity.

The bluefin tuna has been known to live to 40 years of age, becoming mature at eight years at about five feet in length. These fish grow slowly during the beginning of their long lives. The younger members of the species tend to stay in warmer water until they have grown large enough to tolerate the cooler temperatures of the New England coast in the early spring. The long migrations of the adults of the species can take place either in schools or individually. Some scientists think that bluefins use the magnetic pull of the North Pole as well as cues from the sun to guide them in their migrations. Bluefin tuna are seen both near shore and at sea. They prefer the surface to the deeps and have been known to swim so high in the water column that their dorsal fins are above the water's surface.

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General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which tank wall is suitable for this animal?     Remember that all tanks need a tank filter!

How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

Does this animal perform in a show?

No

TankWallName

Purchase Cost

See Through

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Concrete Edge and Glass

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Atlantean Tank Wall

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Solid Concrete

$125

No

3

500

13

10.4

Black Bar and Glass

$130

Yes

3

500

13

10.0

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

5

6

20

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Rocks

Foliage

Exhibit Size

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Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

none

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Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

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Who do they like to live with and eat?

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none

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none

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Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

Mermaid

10

KeeperFoodType:

Fish

none

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?