Generally, tuna – the saltwater fish comes under the Thunnini tribe and Scombridae family. There are almost 15 different species of tunas available in the Thunnini tribe, including the smallest bullet tuna to the much bigger Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Tuna fish is an agile and active predator with a streamlined and sleek body. It has a glimmery shine and a silvery lower body; its upper body is quite dark. The tail of tuna fish is forked, or crescent shape, and its middle body is round.
It is well known for its fastest swimming feature. Seventy-five kilometers per hour is the approximate speed of a yellow tuna fish. You can find tuna fish in warm seas. It is also known as a game fish of bluewater. Tuna is widely used for commercial purposes.
You can get too much information about tuna fish from the below article, like – tuna fish in Bengali, its cost, famous tune recipes, health benefits of tuna fish, nutritional value, and many more.
Tuna fish in Bengali name
Most Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal people use Bengali as their official language. They know tuna fish as tuna macho or tuna Macch. Bengali people love to eat fish. Tuna is one of them. Fish is their day-to-day food.
In India, tuna fish is also known as Kera and choora fish. But all most all people can recognize the name tuna easily.
| English name | Tuna fish |
| Bengali name | Tuna macho |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Tribe | Thunnini |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Family | Scombridae |
| Subfamily | Scombrinae |
| Order | Scombriformes |
Health benefits of tuna fish
1. Tuna fish is rich in vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in preparing DNA in the human body. Tuna fish contains an eye-catching amount of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 also reduces the risk of developing anemia and creates new RBCs ( red blood cells ).
2. Helps to keep the heart healthy
Tuna fish contains a high amount of good fat like omega – 3 fatty acids. Bad cholesterols gather inside the human heart ( in the arteries ) and damage the heat. But omega-3 fatty acid helps to decrease the LDL cholesterol and omega – 6 fatty acid levels. Consuming tuna fish can reduce the high risks of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
3. It helps to cure problems related to vision
Omega – 3 fatty acids present in tuna fish help eye health positively. According to a study, People who eat tuna fish twice a week have a lower risk ( 65% ) of eye dryness. It has a positive impact on overall retinal health.
4. It helps to reduce several cancer risks
The omega – 3 fatty acid content of tuna fish has several health benefits. One of them is – it is helpful for cancer patients. It helps to decrease the level of inflammation and slow down the tumor cell growth in the body. Cancer occurs due to chronic inflammation.
5. It helps to lose weight
Tuna fish is famous for its lean flesh. The amount of calories in tuna is low, but the protein quantity is high. Of the high protein content, it keeps you full for the whole day, and it helps you to avoid overeating. In this way, you can lose some weight in a short period.
Side effects of tuna fish
If you consume too much tuna, then it can lead to mercury poisoning. Some side effects and symptoms of consuming tuna fish are muscle weakness, itching, pins feeling in the fingertips and toes, a decrease in peripheral eyesight, etc., so you should always consult a reputable doctor or dietician before adding tuna or any other fish in your daily diet. You should intake the advised amount of fish.
Types of Tuna fish
There are many types of tuna fish available. You know about some of them and possibly can’t recognize some. From this below article, you will get so much information about the most popular types of tuna fish.
Other species and true tuna are the two large groups of tuna fish available worldwide. The tunas come under the Thunnus genus ( consisting of Neothunnus and Thunnus ) and are known as true tunas.
The most important bluefin tuna group
Thunnus subgenera is known as the Bluefin group of tunas, the world’s most valued tuna species. The bluefin tunas can cost you more than other tuna species and are counted as gourmet food.
1. Albacore tuna or Thunnus alalunga
Chicken of the sea and longfin tuna are other popular names for Albacore tuna fish among foodies. This species of tuna is popular for its long, distinctive, and pectoral fins. It loves to live in temperate and tropical water sources.
The color of the abdominal part of the albacore tuna species is silverish white, and its rear part is deep blue. It has an elongated body. This species is generally found in epipelagic and mesopelagic zones in the Indian, Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean oceans.
The approximate length of an albacore is 4 feet 8 inches. This fish has white flesh with a mild flavor. When you cook albacore, its flesh can hold together, so it is mostly used for grilling. Canned albacore is easily available in any supermarket.
2. Pacific bluefin tuna or Thunnus Orientalis
You can easily know its native origin from its name, the Pacific ocean. You can find this tuna species in the northern part of the deepest and largest ocean of the earth and sometimes in the Southern Pacific.
Pacific bluefin tuna is bigger as compared to albacores. It can grow up to lengthwise 9 feet and 300 to 400 kg in weightwise. Its lower body part is silver, and its upper body is deep blue to black. It is an expensive tuna species.
Generally, Japanese people consume 80% of Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna. Northern bluefin tuna is the combined group of Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna. Both tuna species are highly worthy and mostly used in graded sashimi or sushi.
3. Atlantic bluefin tuna or Thunnus thynnus
There are various names for this species. You can call it Northern bluefin tuna when combined with Pacific bluefin tuna. Its name is Giant bluefin tuna, weighing over 148 kilograms. It is a sought-after and high-priced tuna species. According to many people, it is also known as the king of tunas.
Atlantic bluefin tuna has a large mouth, conical head, and rhomboidal body. The color of its body is classic gray and dark blue. Its caudal finlets are radiant yellow.
4. Southern bluefin tuna or Thunnus Maccoyii
Among the bluefin tuna family, this species has great popularity. It naturally strives in every ocean’s Southern Hemisphere waters worldwide. It can grow up to 8 to 8.5 feet, and its average weight is about 200 kg approximately. You can’t notice any eye-catching difference between Northern bluefin and Southern bluefin.
It is also a high-priced tuna species like the Northern bluefin. Japan, China, and America are the largest Southern bluefin tuna consumers.
5. Bigeye tuna or Thunnus obesus
If you love to eat tuna fish but want to save money, go for bigeye tuna. It is a nice option for an enjoyable tuna meal at a low cost. It is a little cheap but more reasonable than other tuna species.
You can find this tuna species in tropical and temperate oceans but not in the Mediterranean sea. Bigeye tuna has big eyes and heads, according to its name. It has a streamlined body with long pectoral fins. A matured bigeye’s maximum length and weight can reach up to 8 feet and 180 kg simultaneously.
The most important yellowfin tuna group
Yellowfin tuna species are cheaper and less fancy than bluefin tuna. But it has an incomparable taste, and you should try it atleast once.
6. Yellowfin tuna or Thunnus albacares
It is one of the Hawaiian cuisines. Its scientific name sounds similar to albacore tuna, but these two are very different. Compared to bluefin and bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna is smaller. But it is not a small fish. Approximately 180 kg is its maximum weight.
Yellowfin tuna is popular for its long anal and dorsal fins and bright yellow finlets. Generally, the color of its body is dark metallic blue, but it gradually becomes silverish near the belly area. This versatile fish can be grilled, raw, light-seared, or fried. It has light pink flesh with a mild flavor. It is leaner as compared to bigeye and bluefin tuna.
7. Longtail tuna or Thunnus Tonggol
It is very common in Australia. It is also known as Northern bluefin tuna. This species loves to live in Indo-West Pacific’s tropical water. Longtail tuna has shorter pectoral fins and a slender body compared to Pacific and Atlantic bluefin tunas. Its maximum length and weight can go up to approximately 60 inches and 35 kg.
Compared to other tunas of the same size, the lifespan of this versatile species is long. Its growing procedure could be faster. This species faces overfishing.
8. Blackfin tuna or Thunnus Atlanticus
Blackfin tuna takes the last place on the list of true tuna and is also the smallest. Its native place is the western Atlantic, and it spans Brazil from Massachusetts. Its growing process is very fast, and its lifespan is short.
This small tuna species’ maximum length and weight can reach up to 39 inches and 21 kilograms approximately. Blackfin tuna has yellowish sides and finlets.
The other eight tuna species
These eight species are not counted as true tuna, but their taste can blow your mind. Thnnini tribe is popular for tasting excellence; these eight tuna species come under this tribe.
9. Bullet tuna or Auxis Rochei
This small tuna species comes under the Scombridae family, sometimes known as Bullet Mackerel. Its body is slender. Twenty inches is the maximum body length of this widely available and cheap tuna species.
You can find bullet tuna easily in tropical waters ( Mediterranean and Pacific oceans). It is widely available in the fish markets and very inexpensive. Bullet tuna has dark gray fins and a black-blue back. Its body contains a specific zig-zag pattern.
10. Mackerel tuna or Euthynnus Affinis
It is also known as little tuna, Tongkol, wavy skipjack tuna, and kawakawa. This rayfinned fish species is the native fish of French Polynesia to Red Sea waters.
You can get canned and frozen mackerel tuna from the market.
11. Little tunny or Euthynnus Alletteratus
It is the most common tuna species in the Atlantic ocean. In warm temperate and tropical areas, you can find little tunny in the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans.
Approximately 15 to 16 kg is its maximum length. It looks like Skipjack tuna. Its back has worm-like patterns, and you can identify some distinct dark spots in the middle of its fins. Its taste is strong and flavourful.
12. Skipjack tuna or Katsuwonus pelamis
This medium-sized tuna has many names like – Katsuo, Balaya, striped tuna, Cakalang, victor fish, etc. tropical waters are its native place. It can grow up to 2 .5 to 3 feet, and 35 kg is its maximum weight. Its tender flesh is great for canning purposes.
13. Black skipjack tuna or Euthynnus Lineatus
Pacific ocean’s tropical waters are its native. This bony and small fish has black or dark gray marks on its blue body. It is not easily available in the fish markets because of its low flesh content.
14. Slender tuna or Allothunnus Fallai
Compared to other tuna species, its body is more elongated and slender. Its sides are silver to gray, and the back is blackish blue. There is a little hint of purple on its pectoral and pelvic fins. Its maximum length is around 3 to 3.5 feet.
15. Dogtooth tuna or Gymnosarda unicolor
This large and scary-looking tuna lives in the Indo-Pacific region’s tropical oceans. It can grow up to 8.5 feet lengthwise. This aggressive fish has unique coloration and gnarly teeth. Its back is green, its sides silver, and the belly white.
16. Frigate tuna or Auxis Thazard
It is also known as frigate mackerel, found in tropical oceans. Its max length is about 12 to 13 inches.
Nutritional value of Tuna fish
One serving of 100 grams of tuna fish contains –
| nutritions | % daily value |
| Calories 130 kcal | – |
| Cholesterol 47 mg | 15% |
| Trans fat regulation 0g | – |
| Saturated fat 0.2 grams | 1% |
| Total fat 0.6 grams | 0% |
| Sugar 0g | – |
| Protein 29 grams | 58% |
| Potassium 527 mg | 15% |
| Sodium 54 mg | 2% |
| Dietary fiber 0g | – |
| Total carbohydrate 0g | 0% |
| Cobalamin | 40% |
| Iron | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | 50% |
| Vitamin D | 20% |
| Magnesium | 10% |
Cost of Tuna Fish in Bengali areas
The cost of tuna fish depends upon the quality, size, form ( canned or fresh ), and place from where you buy it. Fresh tuna costs more than canned one. Tuna is an inexpensive fish. The approximate cost of tuna fish in West Bengal is Rs 200 to Rs 300 per kg. In India, the average price of 1 kg tuna is approximately Rs 150 to Rs 550.
Popularity and availability of Tuna fish in Bengali-telling areas ( West Bengal, Sikkim, Tripura )
Tuna fish has great commercial value in the fish market. This popular seafood is famous worldwide, including in India and Bengali-telling areas. The demand for tuna is high these days. The love for fish among Bengali people is too high.
Indian people love to consume tuna fish. India produces yellowfin tuna in huge quantities. The main tuna producers in India are Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Tuna fish is supplied to West Bengal and Sikkim from these areas and some foreign countries.
Popular Tuna fish recipes in Bengali areas
You can eat tuna fish in the form of baked, fried, and steamed. Some famous tuna fish recipes are – tuna fish salad, tuna salad sandwich, tuna curry, Bengali style tuna fish fry, tuna patties, tuna macher Kalia, tuna fish korma, Kolkatta style baked tuna, vegetable and tuna fish cutlet, etc.
Conclusion
Tuna fish is a great option for health-conscious people. It has so many nutritional value and vitamins. This versatile fish is very delicious and popular worldwide. You should definitely give it a try atleast once in your lifetime.
Hope you got all the pieces of information about tuna fish from the above article. Like – tuna fish in Bengali, its cost, health benefits, recipes, the nutritional value of tuna fish, and many more.
Frequently asked questions
What are the health benefits of tuna fish?
There is a huge list of health benefits of tuna fish. Some of them are –
1. It helps in weight loss.
2. It keeps the cell membrane strong.
3. It helps to boost the energy level and immunity power.
4. Tuna helps to cure gout and arthritis, which are inflammatory diseases.
5. Works as a kidney and skin protector for infections.
6. Helps to decrease the risks of heart disease and blood pressure.
What are the types of tuna fish?
There are eight true tuna species, and some other species are available worldwide.
True tunas –
1. Blackfin tuna
2. Albacore tuna
3. Longtain tuna
4. Pacific bluefin tuna
5. Yellowfin tuna
6. Atlantic bluefin tuna
7. Bigeye tuna
8. Southern bluefin tuna
Other tuna species –
9. Frigate tuna
10. Bullet tuna
11. Dogtooth tuna
12. Slender tuna
13. Little tunny
14. Mackerel tuna
15. Black Skipjack tuna
16. Skipjack tuna
