Quick Facts & Highlights
Species Name: Blackfin Tuna
Scientific Name: Thunnus atlanticus
Common Nicknames: Football Tuna
Species Category: Offshore & Pelagic
Available Lengths Range: 16'' to 35''
Mount Options & Base Rates:
Half Wall Mount: Starts at $10 per inch ($160 for 16")
Full Wall Mount: Starts at $17 per inch ($272 for 16")
360° Suspension Mount: Starts at $20 per inch ($320 for 16")
Catch Photo Matching: Included at no extra charge
Materials & Construction: High-density fiberglass composite cast from first-generation molds, hand-painted glass eyes set in epoxy, automotive-grade airbrush pigments, and UV-resistant urethane clear coat, built in the USA
Turnaround Time: Check the "Current Production Time" link in the website footer
The Powerhouse Football Tuna
Affectionately known to offshore anglers as the football tuna for its compact, heavily built body shape, the Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is a prized target in warm Atlantic and Gulf waters. Renowned for explosive strikes and relentless fighting stamina, this pelagic gamefish represents the thrill of offshore sportfishing. Florida Fish Mounts builds custom blackfin tuna wall mount replicas hand-crafted in America to immortalize your offshore success. Each reproduction is meticulously painted to serve as a stunning centerpiece for your home or office décor.
Anatomical Accuracy: First-Generation Molds
Every Blackfin Tuna replica is cast from a first-generation mold taken directly from an authentic specimen. This manufacturing method ensures that the robust torpedo silhouette, sharp dorsal finlets, and precise scale structure are captured with absolute fidelity. Artist Greg Cassell avoids generic retail blanks, utilizing hand-sculpted jaw structures and hand-painted glass eyes set in high-strength epoxy to achieve a lifelike finish.
Vibrant Pelagic Colors vs. Skin Mount Grease Bleed
As high-oil pelagic predators, blackfin tuna present severe preservation challenges when mounted using traditional skin taxidermy techniques. Trapped natural oils constantly seep through organic skin mounts, causing yellowing, cracking, and structural failure over time. Furthermore, a live blackfin's iridescent bronze back and brilliant silvery flanks fade rapidly after harvest. Choosing a custom fiberglass blackfin tuna reproduction completely eliminates organic decay, allowing Greg Cassell to seal your fish's true colors permanently beneath a UV-resistant urethane clear coat.
Have Your Mount and Eat It Too
Blackfin tuna are celebrated for their exceptional culinary value, producing delicious sushi-grade meat. Ordering a custom fiberglass replica means you never have to choose between a trophy on your wall and fresh seafood dinners in your freezer. There is no fish required in our workshop. Simply take clean, well-lit photographs of your catch right after bringing it over the rail, then pack your tuna on ice for the table.
Custom Pattern Matching and the Approval Process
We include custom photo-matching with your order at no additional charge. You can upload your catch photo using the button below before or after placing your order. Greg will study your reference images to match unique lateral color intensities or distinct markings from your catch. If you do not have a photo, Greg will paint your replica to match a classic, highly vibrant ocean-phase blackfin tuna. Once the painting phase is complete, we email you high-resolution photos of the raw paintwork. We do not apply the protective urethane clear coat or crate your order until you have reviewed the photos and given your explicit approval.
Shipping and Final Invoicing
Shipping costs are calculated and invoiced separately once your mount is fully completed and secured inside a custom-built wooden shipping crate. Because pelagic replicas vary in length and weight, flat-rate shipping is not applied at checkout. Once your approved mount is secured, we send a separate invoice for the actual UPS Ground shipping balance. Your replica ships immediately upon payment of that invoice. You can check our current shop turnaround schedule at any time by clicking the production time link located in our website footer.
Select Your Mount Type and Length
Use the dropdown menus above to choose your Mount Type and Length. We offer the blackfin tuna wall mount replica in sizes ranging from 16 to 34 inches. Pricing is calculated per inch starting at $10 for a half mount, $17 for a full mount, and $20 for a 360-degree suspension mount. Once you select your specific options, the final price updates automatically. Proceed through checkout to secure your position on Greg's shop schedule.
