Bullet tuna
Small, slender tuna found in tropical oceans worldwide.
The bullet tuna is a small species of tuna inhabiting tropical surface waters across the globe. It reaches a maximum length of 50 centimetres and feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
- Reaches a maximum length of 50 centimetres
- Found in tropical oceans and the Mediterranean Sea
- Has zig-zag dark markings on the upper hind body
- Lives in open surface waters up to 50 m deep
What it is
The bullet tuna is a comparatively small and slender member of the tuna family. It features a triangular first dorsal fin that sits well apart from the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal, along with the anal and pectoral fins, is relatively small. Like other tunas, it possesses finlets behind the main fins. A small corselet of tiny scales protects the area around the pectoral region. The back is blue-black, adorned with zig-zag dark markings on the upper hind body, while the belly is silver. The fins appear dark grey.
Where it lives
This species lives in tropical oceans around the world. Its range includes the Mediterranean Sea. It inhabits open surface waters and can be found at depths down to 50 metres. The population in the Eastern Pacific was once classified as a subspecies, Auxis rochei eudorax. Some authorities now consider this group a valid separate species called Auxis eudorax.
How it lives
Bullet tunas are active predators in surface waters. Their diet consists of small fish, squid, and planktonic crustaceans. They also consume stomatopod larvae. These fish are adapted for life in the open ocean, utilising their streamlined shape for speed. They remain in the upper layers of the water column, rarely diving deeper than 50 metres.
Fish and people
As a member of the tuna family, the bullet tuna is sometimes referred to as bullet mackerel. While specific cultural practices are not detailed here, tunas are generally valued as food fish. Its small size compared to larger tuna species may influence how it is caught and prepared in various regions where it is found.
Questions people ask about Bullet tuna
How big does a bullet tuna get?
The bullet tuna is a small species, reaching a maximum length of 50 centimetres. This makes it significantly smaller than many other well-known tuna species.
Where can you find bullet tuna?
They are found circumglobally in tropical oceans. Their range also extends into the Mediterranean Sea, where they inhabit open surface waters.
What does a bullet tuna eat?
Their diet includes small fish, squid, planktonic crustaceans, and stomatopod larvae. They feed primarily in the upper layers of the ocean.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bullet tuna", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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