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| Albacore |
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Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas) |
Genus and Species: |
Thunnus alalunga |
Description: |
The body of the albacore tapers at both
ends (cigar-shaped). The head is long and the mouth fairly large. The color
is dark gray to metallic blue on the back becoming white to gray below. Albacore
are easily distinguished from the other tunas occurring off California, with
exception of the bigeye, by the extreme length of their pectoral fins (they
extend well past the anal fin). Albacore and bigeye can best be distinguished
by the characteristics of their livers. The albacore has a heavily striated
(covered with blood vessels) liver while the liver of the bigeye is only
lightly striated along the edges. |
Range: |
Albacore occur worldwide in temperate seas;
in the eastern Pacific they range from south of Guadalupe Island, Baja
California, to southeast Alaska. |
Natural History: |
The food of the albacore varies, depending
upon where they are feeding in the water column and what items are available
at the time and place the albacore are feeding. A majority of the food consists
of small fishes, but at times squid, octopus, shrimp-like and crab-like organisms
are extremely important. There are indications that albacore spawning takes
place in the mid-Pacific, probably north and west of the Hawaiian Islands.
Large specimens caught in that area during late summer on long line gear
have had nearly ripe eggs in their ovaries. The albacore is one of the world's
fastest migrant fish. Annual trans-Pacific migrations have been documented
by tagging. Fish tagged off California were captured off Japan, nearly 5,000
miles away, 294 days later. Traveling "as the crow flies", this is equivalent
to more than 17 miles a day. |
Fishing Information: |
Albacore are the most sought after of the
tunas by California anglers. Most fishing for albacore takes place 20-100
miles offshore in central and southern California. They are rarely taken
near shore. Albacore have a preference for deep blue oceanic water and mild
temperatures. Studies indicate that 57 of every 100 albacore caught are hooked
in water ranging in temperature between 60° and 64° F. Albacore
travel in loosely knit schools which are located by trolling or observing
surface signs (feeding birds, etc.). Once located, they are fished with hook
and line using live anchovies for bait. They may also be caught on a trolled
feathered jig. |
Other Common Names: |
longfin, albie, pigfish, Pacific albacore,
German. |
Largest Recorded: |
5 feet; 79 pounds (California). |
Habitat: |
Pelagic Environment |
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