Well, we all know fish as a rich source of vitamins and minerals, but this time we are going to talk about a bluefin tuna which has made news for being sold for a record of 510 million yen, which is around ₹29 crore in Japan's first auction of the New Year.



As per reports, a 243-kg bluefin tuna has become the world’s most expensive fish. But the auction also raised questions around who bought it and why it is so expensive. The answer to which is , the record-breaking tuna was bought by Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of Japan’s famous company Kiyomura Corporation. He is known in Japan as the ‘Tuna King’. He runs the well-known sushi restaurant chain Sushi Zanmai and is famous for placing high bids every year. As per official statement, he was hoping for a lower price, but bidding rose so fast that he couldn’t stop himself and when he sees a tuna of such good quality, he just can’t hold back. This record-breaking tuna hailed from the waters near Oma in northern Japan, a region renowned for producing premium bluefin, the report states.










For the unversed, in Japan, the importance of bluefin tuna is not just limited to food. It is believed that placing a high bid at the first auction ensures good business throughout the year. And that's the reason, companies in large numbers participate in the auction and bid aggressively.




What makes it so expensive



As per experts, it is one of the most premium edible fish in the world and is very soft, juicy, and rich in fat, with the belly portion called otoro, which is very buttery. Here are four reasons that make it one of the most expensive fish in the world.




Scarcity: It is said that this fish travels thousands of miles across deep and open seas, making it extremely difficult to locate and catch and the government has imposed strict rules and quotas on its catch, which makes its a rare one.




Size: This breed of tuna is very heavy and can weigh up to 450 kg too. The bigger and older the fish, the higher its price.







Transportation: Because of heavy weight, it is not easy to catch and transport them. As per experts, they can't be caught in nets, and a special line-fishing technique is used to catch them. This also helps prevent any injury or stress to the fish. The catching price adds to the cost, making it a costlier fish deal.




Demand: Because of good quality, they are loaded with nutrients and are used to make sushi, and the rising global demand for sushi adds to its final cost.








The art of catching bluefin tuna



This rare breed of fish can't be caught in the nets and hence the technique of Hainkara is used for them. This is a traditional Japanese fishing method in which only one fish is caught on a single hook.









Most expensive fish sold in India



As per reports, the ghol fish is the most expensive fish sold till date. 157 fish was sold on 1 September 2021, for ₹1.33 crore in Palghar, Maharashtra. For the unversed, this fish is known for its medicinal properties in its stomach and is used in cosmetics and medicines. As per reports, it is very high in demand in countries such as Hong Kong and Japan, and is known as ‘sea gold’. And then in October 2025, 88 Telia Bhola fish were caught in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal and were sold for approx ₹60 lakh.





Images Courtesy: X and istock