Whale Shark
 Description: Dark blue-gray to brown-black with a pattern of large white spots and lines above, fading into white below, three ridges along sides of body. Broad, flat head with small eyes just behind wide, terminal mouth. Unmistakable. Largest of all living fishes.
Size: Average reported length 4-12 m (13-40 ft), maximum 13.7 m (44.5 ft).
Habitat, Behavior and Biology: Occurs inshore and over deep water, from the surface to at least 60 m (200 ft). Swims with its mouth open, filtering zooplankton, squid, and fishes from the water. Ovoviviparous, gives birth to live young, relatively small embryo develops in an egg case internally.
Abundance: Uncommon, most often seen at Dirty Rocks and Manuelita.
Distribution: Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical seas. |
