鲔 originally referred to sturgeon and paddlefish (
鲟鱼) in classical Chinese — see 《
诗经》. In modern Taiwan and via Japanese influence (Japanese
鮪 'maguro' = tuna),
鲔鱼 became the standard word for tuna. Mainland Chinese typically says
金枪鱼 (jīnqiāngyú, 'gold spear fish') for tuna instead.