Food - Drink
Bluefin Vs. Yellowfin Tuna: What's The Difference?
By WENDY LEIGH
Bluefin and yellowfin tuna are caught throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and while both types of fish are prized for their meat, the two species differ in color, size, habitat, and flavor. As you might guess, yellowfin tuna can be identified by the areas of bright yellow coloring on their fins, while the bluefins have dark blue tails.
Bluefins can be found in cold waters, and are divided into three subspecies – the Pacific, Southern, and Atlantic – while yellowfins prefer warmer waters. Atlantic bluefins can weigh up to a whopping 1,500 pounds and range from six to 10 feet long, while yellowfins can weigh 400 pounds or more and can reach up to 7 feet in length.
Bluefin is exceedingly popular for its rich and fatty flesh with a meaty texture that makes for some of the best sashimi and sushi, but some eaters may prefer the leaner yellowfin tuna for its milder taste. While they differ in flavor, both species contain plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamins B6 and B12, selenium, iodine, and potassium.