Fish
Longtail Tuna
Thunnus tonggol
A slender coastal tuna of warm KwaZulu-Natal waters, prized by game anglers for its blistering runs close inshore.
Also known as langstert-tuna, northern bluefin tuna, tuna longtail
- Typical size
- Commonly 60-100 cm
- Habitat
- Warm coastal and shelf waters
- Depth
- Surface to about 100 m
The longtail tuna is a smaller, more slender tuna than its oceanic cousins, dark blue above and silver below with pale oval spots on the lower flanks and a notably slim tail base. It favours warmer coastal and continental-shelf waters rather than the deep open ocean.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast it hunts in fast-moving schools, driving baitfish to the surface and giving game anglers hard, sizzling runs on light tackle. It is an excellent sport fish and good eating, though its inshore, schooling habits make local populations sensitive to fishing pressure. Divers occasionally see them flash past on the outer reefs.