Family: Rhinocodontidae, Whale Sharks view all from this family

Description To 60' (18.3 m). Very large, elongate, with 3 ridges on each side from head to caudal peduncle; dark gray to brown on back and sides, lower parts much lighter, fading to yellow or white; yellow or white spots between narrow lines of same color result in checkerboard-like pattern. Mouth broad and near end of short snout; gill openings very long and wide. Pectoral fins large, other fins relatively small; 2 dorsal fins without spines, first much larger; caudal fin large, lunate.

Similar Species Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) lacks distinctive color pattern.

Habitat Open sea.

Range In Atlantic from New York south to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico. In Pacific from S. California south to Gulf of California.

Discussion The Whale Shark, the largest fish in the world, feeds on small crustaceans and fishes that it gulps in mouthfuls and strains with its branchial sieve.