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Species · Lookalikes

Atlantic BonitoorFalse Albacore

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda), side view, on a white background
Atlantic BonitoSarda sarda
Studio photograph of a False Albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus), side view, on a white background
False AlbacoreEuthynnus alletteratus

Rules for both fish from 1 state rulebooks, checked Sep 7, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Atlantic Bonito

Straight dark stripes along the upper flank, visible teeth, slimmer than false albacore.

Atlantic bonito, next to false albacore: stripes are straighter and reach lower; has teeth.

False Albacore

Wavy, worm-like markings above the lateral line only; spotless silver below; football body.

False albacore, next to Atlantic bonito: wavy broken markings, no teeth showing.

Side by side

Atlantic BonitoFalse Albacore
Scientific nameSarda sardaEuthynnus alletteratus
Also calledBonitoAlbie, Little tunny, Fat Albert
WatersNearshoreOffshore
Heaviest state record27 lb · Texas (1969)32 lb · North Carolina (2015)
On the tableGood — far better table fare than false albacore.Poor — dark, strong-flavored; almost always released.
Rules of its own in1 states1 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 1 of 1 states with a rule for either. In Massachusetts, Atlantic bonito is 16" min (curved fork length), 5 fish combined with false albacore and false albacore is 16" min (curved fork length), 5 fish combined with Atlantic bonito. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

StateAtlantic Bonito: size · bag · seasonFalse Albacore: size · bag · season
Massachusetts16" min (curved fork length)5 fish combined with false albacoreOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked 16" min (curved fork length)5 fish combined with Atlantic bonitoOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic bonito or false albacore, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

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Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Atlantic bonito from false albacore?

Atlantic Bonito: Straight dark stripes along the upper flank, visible teeth, slimmer than false albacore. False Albacore: Wavy, worm-like markings above the lateral line only; spotless silver below; football body. False albacore, next to Atlantic bonito: wavy broken markings, no teeth showing. Atlantic bonito, next to false albacore: stripes are straighter and reach lower; has teeth.

Which gets bigger, Atlantic bonito or false albacore?

False Albacore. The heaviest state record we hold is 32 lb in North Carolina; the heaviest Atlantic bonito record is 27 lb in Texas.

Which is better to eat, Atlantic bonito or false albacore?

Atlantic Bonito: Good — far better table fare than false albacore. False Albacore: Poor — dark, strong-flavored; almost always released.

Do Atlantic bonito and false albacore have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 1 state rulebooks. Massachusetts: Atlantic bonito 16" min (curved fork length), 5 fish combined with false albacore, false albacore 16" min (curved fork length), 5 fish combined with Atlantic bonito.