Largest fish

The world's largest fish is the plankton-feeding whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which is found in the warmer areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Measurements of these elusive fish vary drastically from study to study, as well as between regions, but those measured to date have averaged 4–12 metres (13 feet 1 inch–39 feet 4 inches) long, with sexual maturity generally agreed to be reached at 9 metres (29 feet 6 inches). The largest scientifically documented specimen is a female whale shark that was caught in the Arabian Sea off Veraval in Gujarat, India, on 8 May 2001; she measured 18.8 metres (61 feet 8 inches) long.