dogtooth tuna
noun
plural dogtooth tuna or dogtooth tunas
: a medium-sized nearly scaleless tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) of the Indian and southwestern Pacific Ocean that has a large mouth with long conical teeth, often reaches a length of over five feet (1.5 meters), and is valued especially as a sport fish
On ledges and drop-offs along the cliff walls, small groups of big dogtooth tuna wait for the baitfish.—Steve Cooper
For a species rarely encountered in local waters, fearsome looking dogtooth tuna occupy the thoughts of a lot of West Australian anglers.—The Sunday Times (Australia)
called also bonito
Cite this Entry
“Dogtooth tuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogtooth%20tuna. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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