
Description:
The body of the yellowfin tuna tapers at both ends (cigar-shaped),
and the head is conical. The color is dark brownish blue to dark
yellow on the back becoming gray or whitish below. Identifying tunas
can be difficult, especially when yellowfin and bigeye tuna are
involved. In most cases, the length of the pectoral fins can distinguish
each species. The yellowfin has pectoral fins which do not extend past
the anal fin; while in bigeye, the pectoral fins extend well past the anal
fin. Tuna which cannot be distinguished by external characteristics can
be positively identified by liver characteristics. The surface of a
yellowfin's liver is smooth while the liver of the bigeye is striated,
containing many with small blood vessels along the trailing edge.