Whale Shark — The Ocean's Gentle Giant
Rhincodon typus
Quick Fact
The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean — yet it feeds on some of the smallest organisms, filtering over 6,000 litres of water per hour.
About This Species
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the ocean, reaching lengths of up to 18 metres and weighing up to 19 tonnes. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are filter feeders — they swim slowly with their mouths open, filtering vast quantities of plankton, fish eggs, and small fish from the water. A whale shark can filter over 6,000 litres of water per hour. They are found in tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, often aggregating at predictable feeding sites. Whale sharks are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Why It Matters
Whale sharks are threatened by boat strikes, bycatch, and targeted fishing for their fins and meat. Their slow reproductive rate makes population recovery extremely slow.