What Group Does Tuna Belong To? The Scombridae Family Explained

November 23, 2025 •

3 min read

Tuna are some of the fastest and most highly migratory fish in the world's oceans, with certain species, like the albacore, capable of swimming over 50 miles per hour. But what group does tuna belong to? The answer lies within the classification of bony fishes, specifically as a member of the Scombridae family, also known as the mackerel family.

Quick Summary

Tuna belong to the family Scombridae and the tribe Thunnini. The article explores the scientific classification of tuna, distinguishing 'true tunas' of the Thunnus genus from other closely related species like skipjack. It covers their unique characteristics, conservation status, and the broader familial relationships within the mackerel family, highlighting their predatory nature and commercial value.

Key Points

Family Classification: Tuna belong to the Scombridae family, also known as the mackerel family, which includes a diverse range of marine fish.
Tribe Thunnini: Within the Scombridae family, tuna are categorized into the tribe Thunnini, which contains 15 species across five genera.
True Tunas: The genus Thunnus represents the "true tunas," and includes well-known species such as bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore.
Endothermic Adaptation: Some tuna species, notably bluefin, possess a unique ability to regulate and maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water.
Highly Migratory Predators: Tuna are active, agile predators known for their streamlined bodies and impressive speed, migrating across vast ocean distances.
Commercial and Conservation Importance: Tuna are highly valued commercially, leading to extensive fishing that has put some populations, particularly bluefin, at risk of overexploitation.

Understanding the Tuna's Place in the Ocean

At the most basic level, all tuna are marine fish, but their specific classification provides deeper insight into their biology and behavior. To properly answer the question, "what group does tuna belong to?" we must delve into the science of taxonomy. This system, developed by Carl Linnaeus, organizes all living organisms into hierarchical groups, from broad kingdoms down to specific species. Tuna's journey through this system reveals its unique characteristics and its relationship to other well-known marine life.

The Mackerel Family: Scombridae

At the family level, tuna belong to the Scombridae family. This is a large and diverse group of marine fishes that includes not only tunas but also mackerels, bonitos, and other related species. Scombridae are generally known for their streamlined, muscular bodies built for speed and endurance. Key features include their sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies and the presence of small finlets behind their second dorsal and anal fins.

The Tribe of Tunas: Thunnini

Within the Scombridae family, tuna are further divided into the tribe Thunnini. This grouping comprises 15 distinct species across five genera, distinguishing the fish we commonly call tuna from other members of the mackerel family. It is this classification at the tribe level that most precisely defines what a tuna is from an ichthyologist's perspective.

The True Tunas: Genus Thunnus

Adding another layer of detail, the tribe Thunnini includes the genus Thunnus, which is home to the species considered "true tunas". These include some of the most commercially valuable and well-known species, such as:

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (T. thynnus): The largest of the tunas, capable of reaching significant sizes.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna (T. orientalis): A highly prized species in the sushi market.
Yellowfin Tuna (T. albacares): Known for its bright yellow finlets and versatility.
Bigeye Tuna (T. obesus): Characterized by its large eyes and fatty flesh.
Albacore Tuna (T. alalunga): The source of "white meat" canned tuna.

Other Notable Tuna Genera

Not all fish called "tuna" belong to the Thunnus genus. The tribe Thunnini also includes other genera with distinct species:

Katsuwonus (Skipjack Tuna): This single-species genus (Katsuwonus pelamis) is the most commonly caught tuna species globally, prized for canning.
Euthynnus (Little Tunas): Includes species like the little tunny (E. alletteratus) and black skipjack (E. lineatus), often caught recreationally.
Auxis (Frigate and Bullet Tunas): These smaller species are also part of the tuna tribe.
Allothunnus (Slender Tunas): A less common, but still related, tuna.

Comparison: True Tunas vs. Other Scombrids


Feature	True Tunas (Genus Thunnus)	Bonitos (Tribe Sardini)	Mackerels (Tribe Scombrini)
Body Shape	Robust, muscular, and torpedo-shaped.	More elongated and slender than true tunas.	Very slender and cylindrical.
Flesh Color	Varies from deep red (bluefin) to pinkish-white (albacore) due to high myoglobin.	Generally darker, redder flesh.	Typically has lighter, paler flesh.
Teeth	Small, conical teeth.	More prominent, sharp, and conical teeth.	Small, sharp teeth.
Endothermy	Can maintain parts of their body temperature above ambient water, a unique adaptation.	Some are partially endothermic, but less advanced than true tunas.	Ectothermic (cold-blooded), body temperature matches surroundings.
Size	Varies widely, including the massive Atlantic bluefin tuna.	Generally smaller than true tunas.	Typically much smaller than other scombrids.
Migration	Highly migratory, traveling vast ocean distances.	Highly migratory, but often closer to coastlines.	Migratory, but often in more localized schools.

Conclusion: A Group Defined by Shared Traits

In summary, tuna are classified into the tribe Thunnini, which is a subgroup of the larger Scombridae family. The term "tuna" refers to a variety of species, from the commercially dominant skipjack to the highly prized bluefin. While they may vary in size and color, all tunas share a lineage that places them firmly within the mackerel family. Their shared ancestry and remarkable biological adaptations, such as endothermy, make them a fascinating group of marine life. Understanding this classification helps to clarify their relationships to other fish and underscores their importance within the marine ecosystem.

For more detailed information on species classification, refer to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, a leading authority on global fisheries and aquaculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuna belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), order Perciformes (perch-like fishes), and family Scombridae (mackerels and bonitos). They are further categorized into the tribe Thunnini.

While commercially referred to as tuna, skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is not a member of the Thunnus genus. It belongs to its own distinct genus within the same Thunnini tribe, making it a close relative but not a "true tuna".

Besides tuna, the Scombridae family includes a wide range of species such as bonitos, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and wahoo. These fish share a number of characteristics, including streamlined bodies built for speed.

A key difference is that some tuna species are endothermic, or warm-blooded. This allows them to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water, enabling them to swim faster and dive into colder depths than many other bony fish.

The most important commercial tuna species include skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore. Skipjack alone accounts for a significant portion of the global catch and is often used in canned tuna products.

Conservation status varies by species. While some populations, particularly the Southern and Atlantic bluefin, have been historically overfished and are listed as endangered or critically endangered, others like skipjack are currently considered less of a conservation concern.

Tuna are famously known for their extensive migrations, traveling thousands of miles across oceans for feeding and spawning. However, some species, particularly the smaller ones sometimes called "neritic tunas," stay closer to coastlines.