Frigate Tuna

A smaller offshore tuna with a distinctive pattern of oblique dark stripes on the scaleless back half of its body. Found in UAE offshore waters, often in large surface-feeding schools. Commonly used as bait for larger pelagic species.

Species Stats

Diet

Fish, squid, crustaceans

Habitat

Offshore and coastal pelagic waters

Local Name (Arabic)

طبان صغير

Fun Facts

• 1

  The widely spaced lateral corselet of scales distinguishes it from Mackerel Tuna.

• 2

  An important mid-level predator in the UAE offshore food web.

• 3

  Often used as cut or whole bait when targeting larger tuna and marlin.

Research Papers

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