The little tunny is a pelagic fish that can be found regularly in both offshore and inshore waters, and it is classified as a highly migratory species.

[3][4] The little tunny is best identified by the "worm-like" markings on its back and the dark spots appearing between its pectoral and ventral fins.

[5] Commercially, the fish is used as bait for sharks and marlin due to its high oil content and hook retention.

Because of its strong "fishy" taste and the considerable effort required to prepare it, the little tunny is considered by many to be a rough fish and is not commonly eaten.

[6][7] However, it is sought after as a sport fish due to its line-stripping 64 km/h (40 mph) runs and hard fighting ability when hooked.

[6] Constantine Samuel Rafinesque identified the little tunny in 1810 and gave the fish its current name, Euthynnus alletteratus.

[6][9] The coloration of the little tunny is typically metallic blue or blue-green with dark, wavy stripes above the lateral line.

The scattering of dark, fingerprint-like spots between the pectoral and pelvic fins cannot be found on any related Atlantic species.

Its lack of teeth on the vomer can set it apart from its close Pacific relatives, the kawakawa and the black skipjack.

Unlike the little tunny, the skipjack tuna lacks markings on the back and has broad, straight stripes on the underside.

E. alletteratus lacks a swim bladder, like most other tuna, so it must constantly keep moving to stay afloat.

The intestinal tract is fairly short, coming from the left and right sides of the stomach, and extending without looping down the length of its body.

Divided haemapophyses, or parts of the vertebrate forming a long canal, enclose the large ventral blood vessel.

[15] In coastal waters along the North American eastern seaboard, little tunny are carnivorous, and primarily feed on small fish and invertebrates that occur in schools.

Second to fish, the little tunny consumes crustaceans, and lastly cephalopods and gastropods make up a small part of its diet.

Although found it this broad range of latitudes, it is rare north of the Iberian Peninsula or farther south than Brazil.

On the Atlantic coast of the United States, they can be caught as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and as far south as the tip of Florida, as well as throughout the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

[15] It lives in schools based primarily on fish size rather than species, so other members of the family Scombridae, like the Atlantic bonito, may be present.

[19] Studies have found that it takes approximately 3 years for the little tunny's gonads to reach sexual maturity.

[6] As with many inshore gamefish like bluefish and striped bass, schools of little tunny are usually indicated by flocks of birds diving in coastal waters.

The flesh of the little tunny is coarse in texture, strong in flavor, and dark in color if compared to bluefin or yellowfin tuna.

They love warm waters and cover long distances during the spring and summer mating season.

The last major catch in this regard was made in 1954 in the Trieste area by fishermen from Santa Croce and Barcola.