Heaviest Fish in the World

20 fish · 591–21,500 kg

Weight is the ultimate measure of a fish's bulk. While length tells you how long a fish is, weight reveals the true mass — a function of body depth, girth, and density. Some of the heaviest fish are surprisingly compact, while others stretch to great lengths but remain relatively slender.

Maximum weight records come from multiple sources: scientific trawl surveys, IGFA world records, and commercial fishing data. For large pelagic species, weights are often estimated from length-weight regression equations when direct weighing is impractical. The heaviest individual ever recorded for each species represents an exceptional specimen, not the average adult size.

Sharks and rays again feature prominently, but bony fish like the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and Atlantic bluefin tuna also reach remarkable weights that surprise many observers.
How we ranked these

Ranked by maximum recorded weight in kilograms. Data from FishBase, IGFA records, and peer-reviewed ichthyological surveys.

🥇 #1
Tiburón ballena
Tiburón ballena

Rhincodontidae (Whale sharks) · Saltwater

El tiburón ballena es la mayor especie de pez viviente, alcanzando longitudes de hasta 18 metros. A pesar de su enorme tamaño, es un apacible filtrador que consume plancton, huevos de peces y peces pe

1,800.0 cm 21,500.0 kg Saltwater
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🥈 #2
Basking shark
Basking shark

Cetorhinidae (Basking Sharks) · Saltwater

1,520.0 cm 4,000.0 kg Saltwater
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🥉 #3
Beluga
Beluga

Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

800.0 cm 3,200.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  1. Atlantic manta
    Atlantic manta

    Mobulidae (Manta & Devil Rays) · Saltwater

    910.0 cm 3,000.0 kg Saltwater
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  2. Giant sunfish
    Giant sunfish

    Molidae (Ocean Sunfishes) · Saltwater

    333.0 cm 2,300.0 kg Saltwater
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  3. Bumphead sunfish
    Bumphead sunfish

    Molidae (Ocean Sunfishes) · Saltwater

    300.0 cm 2,300.0 kg Saltwater
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  4. Sharpfin sunfish
    Sharpfin sunfish

    Molidae (Ocean Sunfishes) · Saltwater

    337.0 cm 2,000.0 kg Saltwater
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  5. Jaquetón blanco
    Jaquetón blanco

    Lamnidae (Mackerel sharks) · Saltwater

    El jaquetón blanco es el mayor pez depredador del mundo. Presente en aguas costeras de superficie de todos los océanos principales, puede detectar una sola gota de sangre en 100 litros de agua. A pesa

    600.0 cm 1,905.0 kg Saltwater
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  6. Devil fish
    Devil fish

    Mobulidae (Manta & Devil Rays) · Saltwater

    520.0 cm 1,500.0 kg Saltwater
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  7. Great Siberian sturgeon
    Great Siberian sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    560.0 cm 1,000.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  8. Columbia sturgeon
    Columbia sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    610.0 cm 816.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  9. Common tiger shark
    Common tiger shark

    Galeocerdonidae · Saltwater

    750.0 cm 807.4 kg Saltwater
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  10. Black marlin
    Black marlin

    Istiophoridae (Marlins and sailfish) · Saltwater

    465.0 cm 750.0 kg Saltwater
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  11. Atún rojo del Atlántico
    Atún rojo del Atlántico

    Scombridae (Mackerels and tunas) · Saltwater

    El atún rojo del Atlántico es uno de los mayores peces óseos, capaz de cruzar el Atlántico en menos de 60 días. Un solo ejemplar se ha vendido por más de 3 millones de dólares en el mercado de pescado

    458.0 cm 680.0 kg Saltwater Fight 10/10
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  12. Pez espada
    Pez espada

    Xiphiidae (Swordfish) · Saltwater

    El pez espada es un depredador pelágico altamente migratorio, reconocible por su pico largo, plano y puntiagudo. Puede sumergirse a profundidades superiores a 2.800 metros y posee un órgano especializ

    455.0 cm 650.0 kg Saltwater Fight 9/10
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  13. Aguja azul
    Aguja azul

    Istiophoridae (Marlins and sailfish) · Saltwater

    La aguja azul es la cumbre de la pesca de altura. Presente en aguas tropicales y templadas del Atlántico e Indo-Pacífico, puede superar los 500 kg y es conocida por sus espectaculares saltos aéreos al

    500.0 cm 636.0 kg Saltwater Fight 10/10
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  14. Freshwater whipray
    Freshwater whipray

    Dasyatidae (Whiptail Stingrays) · Brackish

    240.0 cm 600.0 kg Brackish
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  15. Chinese sturgeon
    Chinese sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    346.0 cm 600.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  16. Freshwater sawfish
    Freshwater sawfish

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    700.0 cm 600.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  17. Largetooth Sawfish
    Largetooth Sawfish

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    650.0 cm 591.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the heaviest fish ever recorded?
The whale shark holds the record for the heaviest fish, with verified specimens exceeding 20 tonnes. Among bony fish, the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is the heaviest, with individuals reaching over 2,000 kg.
How are maximum fish weights determined?
Maximum weight records come from scientific trawl surveys, IGFA world records, and commercial fishing data. For large pelagic species, weights are often estimated using length-weight regression equations when direct weighing is impractical.
Is the heaviest fish always the longest?
Not necessarily. Weight reflects a fish's total mass — a function of body depth, girth, and density. Some heavy fish like the ocean sunfish are relatively compact, while long, slender species like the oarfish weigh much less than their length would suggest.

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