Overview
Very fast small tuna, often in schools, loves chasing feeding frenzies.
Identification
Tall, sharp dorsal finsDark lateral stripesShort pectoral finsLarge eyesNarrow caudal peduncleRobust bodyComb of finlets near the tailNo swim bladder
- Body
- Streamlined and tapered body, perfectly adapted for swimming speed.
- Colouration
- Steel blue back with dark spots, silver belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very evident
- Growth
- Fast, develops quickly in nutrient-rich marine environments.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Scombridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Katsuwonus pelamisThunnus thynnusThunnus albacaresAuxis rocheiAuxis thazard
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- open_sea, coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- reef, open_sea
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the western and eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, and along the coasts of Africa and the Americas.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers open and coastal waters, often seen near schools of fish.
They prefer warm waters rich in plankton and small fish.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Af Golfo GuineaPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Na Golfo MessicoPeak
Na CaraibiPeak
Sa Brasile NordPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Open Atlantico TropPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- sardines, anchovies, mackerels
- Secondary prey
- squid, shrimp, jellyfish
- Occasional prey
- small crustaceans, plankton, other fish species
- Feeding behaviour
- Fast and aggressive predator, often hunts in packs, surrounding its prey.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large tunas, marlin
Excellent predators of fish schools, using speed to overwhelm prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations to follow currents and food availability.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Mainly active during warm months, follows schools of pelagic fish.
- Juveniles
- Forms schools for protection and to improve hunting efficiency.
- Adults
- Active and fast hunter, tends to disperse into small groups before regrouping.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 50 meters
- Eggs
- Small, pelagic eggs that can float for thousands of marine miles.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larval stage, develops rapidly due to water temperature and plankton availability.
- Sexual maturity
- varies between 2 and 3 years
When to catch Little tunny
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, tarda mattina
Nightalba
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in autumn and winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active, hunts on surface.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Deeper, follows thermoclines.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
16°COptimal zone: 20-27°C30°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
high structure basesemergent reefsedges of tidal currentsproximity to islands
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trollingspinningdriftingbottom fishing
Other applicable
Light JiggingTraina CostieraTrolling OceanicoSpinningShore JiggingLive BaitingPesca A Mosca In MareSpinning MedioSpinning VeloceStreamerBeach FishingBolentinoRock FishingSpinning PesanteSurfcasting
Recommended baits
live baitfeather luresdead minnowsmetal jigs
Baits by pressure
Low
Cucchiaino ondulanteFeather jigMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Minnow affondantePiuma biancaPiuma colorataSabiki fluorescente
Medium
Acciuga vivaSardina vivaTrancio di sardinaCigar minnowEsca viva (generica)
High
Acciuga vivaCucchiaino ondulanteFeather jig
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Energetic fighter, with quick and sudden runs, attempts to pull the line towards the bottom.
- Handling
- Handle carefully, avoid sharp dorsal fins.
- Release
- Release quickly after capture, avoiding excessive stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The world IGFA all-tackle record for the little tuna is about 17 kg, caught near the US coasts. In Italy, the largest catches occur along the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts, with specimens reaching up to 15 kg.
- In the kitchen
- Often used fresh in fish salads, grilled, or for sushi preparation.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of speed and mobility in Mediterranean cultures.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished along Mediterranean coasts, known for its role in marine diets.
