Largest Fish in the World

20 fish · 560–1,800 cm

The ocean and freshwater systems harbor fish of staggering proportions. From the gentle whale shark cruising tropical seas to the massive ocean sunfish drifting in open water, the largest fish species have evolved body plans that maximize size for filter feeding, predation, or thermal regulation.

Body length in fish is measured as total length (TL) — from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal fin. For species with forked tails, fork length (FL) is sometimes used instead. Maximum recorded lengths come from scientific surveys, museum specimens, and verified angler catches published in ichthyological literature.

Cartilaginous fish (sharks and rays) dominate the upper ranks, but bony fish like the oarfish and ocean sunfish also reach extraordinary sizes. Understanding maximum size helps fisheries biologists set harvest limits and conservation priorities.
How we ranked these

Ranked by maximum recorded total length in centimeters. Measurements are sourced from FishBase, peer-reviewed ichthyological studies, and verified museum specimens.

🥇 #1
Whale Shark
Whale Shark

Rhincodontidae (Whale sharks) · Saltwater

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 sw

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
Atlantic manta
Atlantic manta

Mobulidae (Manta & Devil Rays) · Saltwater

910.0 cm 3,000.0 kg Saltwater
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  1. Beluga
    Beluga

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    800.0 cm 3,200.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  2. Giant oarfish
    Giant oarfish

    Regalecidae · Saltwater

    800.0 cm 272.0 kg Saltwater
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  3. Oarfifsh
    Oarfifsh

    Regalecidae · Saltwater

    800.0 cm Saltwater
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  4. Comb shark
    Comb shark

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    760.0 cm 350.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  5. Common tiger shark
    Common tiger shark

    Galeocerdonidae · Saltwater

    750.0 cm 807.4 kg Saltwater
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  6. Common sawfish
    Common sawfish

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    750.0 cm Freshwater & Saltwater
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  7. Dindagubba
    Dindagubba

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    730.0 cm Freshwater & Saltwater
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  8. Freshwater sawfish
    Freshwater sawfish

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

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

    Pristidae · Freshwater & Saltwater

    650.0 cm 591.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  10. Elfin shark
    Elfin shark

    Mitsukurinidae · Saltwater

    617.0 cm Saltwater
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  11. Great Hammerhead Shark
    Great Hammerhead Shark

    Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead sharks) · Saltwater

    The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine hammerhead shark species. Its distinctive cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) houses an array of electroreceptors that allow it to detect stingrays buried

    610.0 cm 580.0 kg Saltwater
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  12. Columbia sturgeon
    Columbia sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    610.0 cm 816.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  13. European Sturgeon
    European Sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    The European sturgeon is a critically endangered anadromous fish that can live over 100 years. Once abundant in European rivers, it is now restricted to a small population in the Gironde estuary. Its

    600.0 cm 400.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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  14. 6-gilled shark
    6-gilled shark

    Hexanchidae · Saltwater

    Hexanchus griseus, the bluntnose sixgill shark, is a large saltwater shark reaching up to 600 cm and weighing up to 590 kg. It inhabits deep ocean waters worldwide and is one of the largest predatory

    600.0 cm 590.0 kg Saltwater
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  15. Great White Shark
    Great White Shark

    Lamnidae (Mackerel sharks) · Saltwater

    The great white shark is the world's largest predatory fish. Found in coastal surface waters of all major oceans, it can detect a single drop of blood in 100 liters of water. Despite its fearsome repu

    600.0 cm 1,905.0 kg Saltwater
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  16. Atlantic thresher
    Atlantic thresher

    Alopiidae (Thresher Sharks) · Saltwater

    573.3 cm 348.0 kg Saltwater
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  17. Great Siberian sturgeon
    Great Siberian sturgeon

    Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) · Freshwater & Saltwater

    560.0 cm 1,000.0 kg Freshwater & Saltwater
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest fish in the world?
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish, reaching verified lengths of over 12 meters (40 feet). Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are filter feeders that consume plankton and small fish.
How do scientists measure fish length?
Fish length is measured as total length (TL) — from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal fin. For species with forked tails, fork length (FL) from snout to the fork of the tail is sometimes used instead.
Are the largest fish dangerous to humans?
Most of the world's largest fish are harmless to humans. Whale sharks and basking sharks are gentle filter feeders, and ocean sunfish are slow-moving plankton eaters. The great white shark is the notable exception among the largest species.

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