See How This Tuna Looks Scarily Similar to a Great White Shark

If you told someone you’d been chased by a tuna fish and survived, they would probably not be that impressed. Getting chased by a great white shark sounds much more exciting. Yet, in this clip, we see an Atlantic bluefin tuna that looks pretty scary! The amazing clip was filmed off the coast of South Devon in the UK and shows one of around eight tuna spotted in the area that day. The huge fish were chasing fish just feet from the shore!

Take a look at the action now!

What Do Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Normally Look Like?

Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest of the tuna species. They grow up to 13 feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. As you can see in this clip, they have torpedo-shaped bodies. If you could see them in cross-section, they would be nearly circular. Their back is a dark blue or black, but their bellies and lower sides are white. Also, they have alternating colorless lines and spots on their lower sides. Their pectoral fins are short, and their dorsal fin is a reddish brown.

These guys grow more slowly than other tuna species and have a lifespan of up to 20 years. They don’t generally spawn until they are around eight years old.

Where Do Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Normally Live?

As their name suggests, Atlantic bluefin tuna are found in the Atlantic. You will spot them in the US from Newfoundland down to the Gulf of Mexico, where they spawn from mid-April to June.

They live near the surface but dive into deeper waters. These highly migratory tuna travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Can You Eat These Bluefin Tuna?

International agreements manage this species. It’s best to have a permit to harvest them. Permits also involve annual catch quotas. There are also minimum size limits. Because the Gulf of Mexico is a valuable spawning ground, you cannot target fish there.

Atlantic bluefin tuna are wild caught from Maine to Louisiana. Their meat has a distinctive flavor that suits sushi and sashimi cuisines. It does not cook well, as it gives off a strong fish odor. The flesh is also dark and fatty, with a firm texture like a beef steak. It’s available all year around and is an excellent source of protein and several micronutrients, including thiamin, selenium, and vitamin B6.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lorna Roberts/Shutterstock.com