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What is the Biggest Fish in the World?

By Jennifer Kennedy, About.com

Scuba diver and a whale shark (<i>Rhincodon typus</i>) in the Indian Ocean, Ningaloo Reef, Australia.

Scuba diver and a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Indian Ocean, Ningaloo Reef, Australia.

Jeff Rotman / Getty Images
Question: What is the Biggest Fish in the World?
The world's biggest fish is a gentle giant that is bigger than a school bus.
Answer:

The whale shark is the world's biggest fish, maxing out at about 65 feet in length and weighing up to about 75,000 pounds.

The second-largest fish is the basking shark, which grows to about 40 feet and 8,000 pounds.

Even though their size may make them look fearsome and inshore appearances may cause alarm, there is nothing to fear. Both species are filter-feeders, and feed on tiny fish and plankton.

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