Tunny

Tunny, any fish of the genus Thynnus of the Mackerel family, from tropical and temperate seas. There are two dorsal fins, and behind the second dorsal and the anal fin is a row of finlets. The best-known species is the Common Tunny (T. vulgaris), abundant in the Mediterranean, whence it ranges to the English Channel and to Tasmania. It is a large fish, specimens of ten feet long and a thousand pounds weight being recorded, but these are very much above the average size. There is a large tunny fishery in the Mediterranean. The fish are driven into funnel-nets, and when crowded together in the small end are speared or harpooned. The flesh is valued for food, and large quantities are preserved in oil for exportation. [BONITO.]