Dinner Time
Eating Strategy
Bluefin often hunt in packs and form
a high-speed parabola to concentrate
prey and make it easier for the
hunters to close in. The concentrated fish will often form a
"bait ball" which the tuna surround and then eat at will.
These "bait balls" often attract other organisms including dolphins
and diving birds which take advantage of the concentrated food
source. Bluefin are adapted for high-speed chases, but will
take advantage of whatever they are presented with.
Follow this link to view the Bluefin in action. Photo courtesy of the NOAA .
Prey Organisms
Bluefin larvae feed on small
organisms such as brine shrimp and other fish larvae. The
juveniles will also eat smaller organisms until they are large
enough to feed on other small fish.
Bluefin adults are opportunistic
eaters that will eat just about anything they run in
to including
kelp, sponges, squid,
starfish, crustaceans,
octopus, sea horses, anchovies,
cod
and other various fish. A study of the stomach contents
of Atlantic Bluefin off the coast of New England found that the most popular
food item was Atlantic herring, but again there was a wide variety
of other prey items in the stomach as well.
Photo courtesy of the NOAA.