Organisms produce their own energy or provide energy for other organisms in a food chain. Yellowfin tuna, or Thunnus albacores,
are large sport fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They typically school under objects such as boats or patches of driftwood for protection from predators. Schooling under these structures also provides yellowfin tuna with easy access to smaller fish that may be foraging for food. Photo by NOAA
Which trophic level does yellowfin tuna fill in a food chain?
The sequence of different organisms in which one is being eaten by others. This feeding relationship is called a food chain. Each food chain composed of producers and different levels of consumers. Each group of organisms in a food chain denotes a trophic level. The yellowfin tuna is a carnivore which feeds on squids, lobster and other small fish. These organisms are herbivores, and they feed on producer such as phytoplankton. Thus, squids, lobster and other small fish are primary consumers. Therefore, yellowfin tuna which feeding on squids, lobster and other small fish are a secondary consumer.