How fast can a Pacific bluefin tuna swim?

Large individuals can reach swimming speeds of roughly 70 to 90 km/h, among the fastest of any fish.

Is the Pacific bluefin tuna endangered?

Its population fell to about 2% of historic levels by 2010 due to overfishing, but a 2024 stock assessment found it had recovered to roughly 23% of historic levels by 2020 following stricter fishing controls.

Pacific Bluefin Tunaクロマグロ

Thunnus orientalisLC— Least Concern

The Pacific bluefin tuna is a massive, fast-swimming predator of the North Pacific, capable of reaching 3 meters and over 400 kilograms. Prized in Japan's sushi markets for its rich, fatty meat, it keeps its body warmer than the surrounding ocean using a specialized blood vessel network, and its population, once severely overfished, has been recovering under stricter international management.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna (reference photo) — Photo: aes256 / CC BY 2.1 jp / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Scombriformes / Scombridae Source
Distribution: Found primarily in the North Pacific from East Asia to western North America, with spawning grounds in the northwestern Philippine Sea and the Sea of Japan; some individuals migrate as far as the Eastern Pacific. Source

Did You Know?

It breathes by swimming continuously with its mouth open to force water over its gills, meaning it never truly sleeps, and large individuals can reach swimming speeds of 70 to 90 km/h. Source
A network of blood vessels called the retia mirabilia lets it keep its body temperature up to about 20°C warmer than the surrounding seawater, allowing it to stay active in cold water. Source
Overfishing drove the population down to about 2% of historic levels by 2010, but stricter management helped it recover to roughly 23% of historic levels by 2020, according to a 2024 stock assessment. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。

かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

のとじま臨海公園水族館 (Notojimarinkai Kouen Suizokukan)Ishikawa最寄り駅は和倉温泉駅。

のとじま臨海公園水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

海遊館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

高崎山自然動物園 (Takasakiyamashizen Doubutsuen)OitaOpened in 1953

高崎山自然動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

青森県営浅虫水族館 (Aomorikeneiasamushi Suizokukan)AomoriOpened in 1983

青森県営浅虫水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLCに分類されています。

Habitat

太平洋の温帯から熱帯の外洋・沿岸。

Threats

過剰漁獲
産卵場や海洋環境の変化

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

漁獲枠の管理
養殖・繁殖研究

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How fast can a Pacific bluefin tuna swim?: Large individuals can reach swimming speeds of roughly 70 to 90 km/h, among the fastest of any fish. Source
Is the Pacific bluefin tuna endangered?: Its population fell to about 2% of historic levels by 2010 due to overfishing, but a 2024 stock assessment found it had recovered to roughly 23% of historic levels by 2020 following stricter fishing controls. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org