Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) are a widely distributed species found across the world’s temperate and tropical oceans. Often called “longfin tuna” due to their distinctive elongated pectoral fins, these fish possess a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body. Their appearance features a deep blue coloration on their back that transitions to silvery-white on their belly. They are commercially important, recognized for their light-colored flesh, often marketed as “white meat tuna” in canned products.
Average Albacore Tuna Size
Adult albacore tuna commonly reach lengths of about 1.0 meter (3 feet 3 inches) and can grow up to 1.4 meters (4 feet 7 inches). They generally weigh up to 36 kilograms (80 pounds), with some larger specimens recorded at 40 kilograms (88 pounds).
Commercially caught albacore typically range from 4.5 to 13.6 kilograms (10 to 30 pounds), with an average market weight of about 9 kilograms (20 pounds). Off the Pacific Coast, fish commonly measure 53 to 76 centimeters (21 to 30 inches) and can weigh up to 16 kilograms (35 pounds).
Largest Recorded Albacore Tuna
Exceptional albacore tuna can reach significant sizes, with specific records documenting remarkable catches. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all-tackle world record for albacore tuna stands at 39.9 kilograms (88 pounds, 2 ounces). This record-setting fish was caught by Siegfried Dickemann on November 19, 1977, off Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands of Spain. It measured 123 centimeters (48.5 inches) in length with a girth of 94 centimeters (37 inches).
While this remains the official world record by weight, an even heavier albacore, weighing 40.9 kilograms (90 pounds, 4 ounces), was caught off Santa Cruz, California, in 1997. This catch holds the California state record, though it was not recognized as an IGFA world record due to a technicality related to the fishing tackle used. Separately, a world record for the longest albacore tuna by length was set in September 2023 by John Cooney, who caught an 87-centimeter (34.25-inch) fish off Ilwaco, Washington.
What Influences Albacore Tuna Size
Several biological and environmental factors influence albacore tuna growth and size. Their lifespan typically ranges from 10 to 12 years, though some individuals live up to 13 years. Albacore grow rapidly in their early years, reaching about 45 to 50 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) in their first year, after which their growth rate slows to approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches) annually. They generally reach reproductive maturity around 5 to 6 years of age.
Diet plays a significant role in their growth; albacore are active pelagic predators. They consume a varied diet including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, with cephalopods being a primary food source, distinguishing them from some other tuna species. These fish have a high metabolism and can consume up to 25% of their body weight daily. Juvenile albacore initially feed on planktonic crustaceans, transitioning to a mix of squid, small fish, and crustaceans as they mature.
Ocean conditions, including water temperature and food availability, also shape albacore size. Albacore prefer surface waters between 15.6 and 19.4 degrees Celsius (60.1 and 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit), though larger adults can be found in deeper, slightly warmer or cooler waters. They tend to gather in areas where warm and cool water masses mix, as these zones often indicate higher concentrations of their prey. Research indicates that water temperature directly affects growth rates, and spatial variations in growth have been observed, with males sometimes growing larger than females and growth parameters differing across longitudes.