Types of Tuna Explained: From Skipjack to Yellowfin

Most Australians know their way around a can of tuna, but far fewer know exactly which type of tuna they’re eating. Whether you’re comparing labels in the supermarket aisle or scanning a restaurant menu, terms like skipjack, yellowfin and albacore can quickly start to blur together.

While they all belong to the tuna family, each species brings something different to the table. Each type of tuna fish has its own flavour, texture, nutritional profile, and culinary use. This guide breaks down the five main types of tuna you’re most likely to come across and how to choose the right one for your plate.

There are around 15 recognised tuna fish species worldwide, but for most consumers, only five species really matter: Skipjack, Yellowfin, Albacore, Bluefin, and Bigeye.

Let’s take a look at each of these tuna species.

Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

Skipjack tuna is the most commonly eaten canned tuna species in the world. It’s relatively small compared to other tuna species, usually growing to under one metre in length and weighing between 10 and 20kg.

It has a darker pink-red flesh and a stronger flavour than other tuna varieties. Skipjack is the species most commonly used in canned products found on Australian supermarket shelves.

According to ISSF’s 2025 Status of the Stocks report, Skipjack accounts for around 58% of the global commercial tuna catch, making it the most heavily fished tuna species worldwide.

Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

Yellowfin tuna is t the second most commercially caught tuna species worldwide.

It’s widely regarded as a more premium canned tuna species thanks to its firmer texture and cleaner, milder flavour.

Its flesh is a deeper pink and sits somewhere between the bold flavour of skipjack and albacore’s delicate pale flesh.

While Yellowfin tuna can grow up to two metres long and weigh more than 100kg, Sirena only uses small-sized Yellowfin tuna. This is due to Sirena’s pole-and-line fishing method, which only catches small tuna that swim closer to the surface. Pole-and-line fishing is a traditional, lower-impact fishing method that catches one fish at a time, reducing bycatch and supporting coastal fishing communities. Sirena is also a member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), which advocates for responsible tuna fishing practices. When you choose Sirena canned tuna, you get a premium, sustainably caught fish for your everyday cooking.

Read Springwater vs. Oil: Which Canned Tuna Should You Use for Your Recipe?

Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga)

If you’ve ever seen canned tuna labelled “white tuna”, it’s referring to albacore.

Albacore tuna has the palest flesh of the major commercial tuna species, with a mild flavour and firm texture that’s often compared to chicken breast. It’s more commonly sold in canned form in the United States and parts of Europe than in Australia.

Albacore makes up around 4–5% of the global tuna catch. It’s also higher in omega-3 fatty acids than skipjack, although it generally contains higher mercury levels as well.

Read Can You Eat Canned Tuna While Pregnant? A Guide to Safe Consumption

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin tuna is one of the most prized tuna species in the world, particularly in premium sushi and sashimi markets.

There are three main species:

• Atlantic Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
• Pacific Bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and
• Southern Bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

Southern Bluefin tuna is the species found in Australian waters, particularly off the country’s southern coast. Southern Bluefin tuna can grow up to 2.45 metres long and weigh up to 260kg, making it significantly larger than skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Its rich, heavily marbled flesh is highly valued in high-end Japanese cuisine.

However, Bluefin tuna accounts for only a small percentage of the global commercial tuna catch and isn’t typically used in canned tuna products because it’s an expensive fish. Some bluefin populations, particularly Pacific Bluefin, have faced sustainability pressures in recent decades, although measures have helped improve stock recovery.

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) 

Bigeye tuna is often confused with Yellowfin because the two species share similar colouring and are commonly found in the same tropical waters.

Bigeye accounts for roughly 7% of the global tuna catch and is less commonly used in canned tuna products in Australia.

Bigeye tuna has a fattier, richer flesh that makes it especially popular for sashimi and premium fresh seafood dishes.

Not all canned tuna is created equal, and much of that comes down to the type of tuna fish. The type of tuna affects more than flavour; it can also influence texture, colour, omega-3 content, and mercury levels.

Premium canned tuna products will usually name the species directly on the label. Sirena’s canned tuna clearly states Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and the fishing method used: pole-and-line fishing.

If you regularly eat canned tuna, checking the species label can help you better understand what you’re buying, from flavour and texture through to how different varieties may suit different meals and your diet.

Read Can You Eat Canned Tuna Every Day? What You Should Know

Sources

1. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), Status of the Stocks: 87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels, March 2025. https://www.iss-foundation.org/about-issf/what-we-publish/2025/03/12/87-of-global-tuna-catch-comes-from-stocks-at-healthy-abundance-levels/
2. International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), One-by-One Tuna Fishing. https://ipnlf.org
3. About Sustainable Tuna (ISSF), Global Tuna Catch Data 2024. https://aboutsustainabletuna.org
4. Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Yellowfin tuna, https://www.afma.gov.au/species/yellowfin-tuna
5. Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Southern Bluefin https://www.afma.gov.au/species/southern-bluefin-tuna