Surely at some time in your life you will have eaten tuna, because it is a sustainable food, delicious and nutritious that, in addition, is full of curious facts. Like many other fish, tuna are largely unknown and all we know about them is that, whether canned or fresh, they are a first-rate food. However, They are amazing animals and great marine hunters. Join us in Supercurious to discover more curiosities about tunas.
10 fun facts about tuna that you should know
To get started, let’s look at some general facts about this species. Tunas live in the oceans and their common characteristics are having two dorsal fins, a stocky body covered in blue/silver scales, measuring between 3 and 8 meters and weighing between 400 and 900 kg. They can live up to 15 years.
1. One of the fastest fish
Tuna comes from the Latin Thunnus, which means speed. Indeed, this animal It can reach a speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour during its swim. Oddly enough, they swim twice as fast as white sharks.
Its swimming cruising speed is between 3 and 7 km. per hour, but can easily reach 70 km. per hour and exceptionally, in short routes, at 110 km. per hour.
In addition, they are capable of traveling from 14 to 50 kilometers a day. For it, eat meat three times a day, at least. Its diet is varied, but is generally composed of herring, sole, anchovy, flying fish, squid, shrimp, and in some cases, smaller members of its species.
2. It is a blue species
One of the curious facts about tuna is its appearance. Especially, it stands out for its physical characteristics, but more for the tonality of its body. It has a head in the shape of a triangular pyramid, with a blue back with metallic details, along with a silver belly. Inside, its meat can be pink or reddish depending on the species.
However, it is still classified as one of the blue animals. That is, it has a higher percentage of fat than other species. It should be noted that they are healthy fatsand that is why it is a food with high demand.
3. The variety of species is one of the curiosities of tunas
Another of the curiosities of tuna fish is that worldwide there are at least eight species in the genus Thunnus.
- Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
- Bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
- Bigeye or Bigeye (Thunnus obesus)
- White or albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
- Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
- Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
- Skipjack or bonito (Katuwonus pelamis)
- Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis)
4. Synchronized and group swimming
Another of the most well-known curious facts about tuna is the distribution they use when moving. Generally, it is usually very wide, covering seas and oceans of both warm and frozen waters.
For example, the bluefin tuna is a species native to the Eastern North Pacific, but They lay and hatch their young in the Sea of Japan. Later, they migrate to the coasts of the Baja California peninsula, in Mexico.
Tuna migrations can last up to 60 days and travel long distances. In their travels they can easily cover between 14 and 50 km. every day. Undoubtedly, one of the most outstanding curious animals.
5. A superfood
One of the curiosities of tuna is that They are sought after for their high protein content, Omega 3, vitamins B3, B6, B12A and D. In addition to that, they also have several minerals, such as phosphorus, magnesium, iron and iodine. The best part is that its composition allows its meat to be consumed almost entirely.
Currently, tuna is positioned as one of the most used marine species in the gastronomic sector. Many chefs and cooks are aware of the versatility of this food, as well as its nutritional properties. From Japanese dishes, roasts, hamburgers, toast, there are many variations.
One of the concerns with eating tuna is that it can have high levels of histamine and mercury. Experts say that It may be advisable to limit its consumption in risk groups such as children or pregnant.
6. Closed season
One of the curiosities of fish is that they are very ideal for human consumption. Among them, tuna is in incredible demand. For this reason, several governments around the world have implemented a system for its conservation, known as the closed period for tuna fishing. The objective is to promote adequate reproduction and optimal growth of the species.
7. One of the curious facts about tuna is its longevity
Among the curiosities of tuna is its long life span, we could count the tuna among the animals that live the longest.
Indeed, They have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.. Due to their longevity, there are theories that assume their ability to develop and transmit knowledge. Among them, evasion techniques against predators the most important. They also stand out for being gregarious: they search for food and return to spawn in the same place.
8. They are great hunters
Tunas, large bony fish, are great hunters due to their excellent eyesight and speed of movement. They circle their prey and attack with the speed of a missile. It is also added that their eyesight is the best of all bony fish. Their eyes, in some of the species, grow to the size of tennis balls and with them they are able to see in murky or deep and dark water. They can distinguish objects of 6 or 7 cm. more than 30 meters.
One of the species of tuna, known as the “big eye tuna”, has a layer of cells in its eyes capable of concentrating light, similar to that of cats, and which allows them to see in almost complete darkness.
9. Adaptation is one of the fun facts about tuna
One of the curiosities of tuna, specifically the largest species, is that they can live in extremely cold waters. This is because with their muscular activity they raise their body temperature above that of the water, achieving an effect similar to having warm blood.
This quality allows them to hunt in a wide variety of places, diving as deep as 400 m. deep, though in some cases they can reach up to 1.5 km.
10. They are in high demand
Due to the great global demand for sushi and sashimi, especially in Asia, and also the increase in the world population, there is an overfishing of tuna. This is why there is a great threat to the conservation of some species, such as the “bluefin tuna”.
Specifically, more than 7 million tons of tuna and tuna-like species are landed each year. That is to say, they represent 20% of the total maritime fishing, and more than 8% of all products from the sea that are commercialized.
Surely these 10 curious facts about tuna have amazed you. Did you know them? Do you know any more? If you know of others, do not hesitate to share them with us so that we can expand our list of curiosities.
With this we say goodbye, but not before inviting you to meet the snail fish and this selection of environmental phrases. See you in a future article!