Smallmouth Bass vs Whale Shark
Micropterus dolomieu compared with Rhincodon typus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Micropterus dolomieu | Rhincodon typus |
| Order | Centrarchiformes | Orectolobiformes |
| Family | Centrarchidae | Rhincodontidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 69.0 cm | 1800.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 5.4 kg | 21500.0 kg |
| Color | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. | Dark gray to blue-gray back covered with a distinctive checkerboard grid of pale white or cream spots and transverse stripes; belly white; the unique spot pattern is unique to each individual. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 1-7m | 0-1928m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … | Pantropical in open oceanic and coastal waters between 30°N and 35°S. Aggregates seasonally at feeding sites including Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, the Gulf of … |
| Habitat | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … | Neritic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Whale Shark
Endangered species — consumption is strongly discouraged and illegal in many countries. Historically consumed in parts of Asia; now internationally protected under CITES Appendix II.
Species Overview
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.
Whale Shark
The whale shark is the largest living fish species, reaching lengths of up to 18 meters. Despite its enormous size, it is a gentle filter feeder that consumes plankton, fish eggs, and small fish by swimming with its wide mouth open.