Her World War II career was cut short due to the war coming to an end, but, post-war, she was reactivated and served the Navy until she was put into reserve and eventually transferred to Venezuela as Puerto Nutrias.

The second ship to be so named by the Navy, Tunxis—originally projected as YN-119—was redesignated AN-90 on 17 January 1944; laid down on 2 May 1944, at Duluth, Minnesota, by the Zenith Dredge Co.; launched on 18 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Edward J. Thye, wife of the Governor of Minnesota; and commissioned on 28 March 1945.

Tunxis remained in commission with the Navy for only several months as the war was coming to an end.

Tunxis participated in U.S. Atlantic Fleet exercises off the U.S. East Coast from 13 to 22 November 1954 before returning to Charleston.

In August 1963, Tunxis was transferred under the Military Assistance Program to the government of Venezuela.