whale shark
| Scientific name | Rhincodon typus |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Smith |
| Year of description | 1828 |
| IUCN category | EN |
| Family | Rhincodontidae |
| Genus | Rhincodon |
Introduction
Rhincodon typus, commonly known as whale shark, is a salt water fish.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size1000 cm
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Maximum size1800 cm
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Longevity80 year
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Patternponctuations
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Average size1000 cm
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Maximum size1800 cm
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Longevity80 year
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Patternponctuations
How to recognize the whale shark ?
The whale shark measures between 1000 and 1800 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly blanc and gris body. The also has blanc ponctuations.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietplanctophage
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Sociabilityliving in a group or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
The whale shark is a fish living in a group or alone naturally found close to the surface. This species is planctophage .
n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovovivipare
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Migratory speciesYes
The whale shark is a fish ovovivipare.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature18 - 30 °C
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Depth0 - 1928 m
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EnvironmentActive pelagic
Biotope presentation
The whale shark is most often found at a depth between 0m and 1928m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
To go further
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Movements of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) tagged at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia - S.G. Wilson - J.J. Polovina - B.S. Stewart - M.G. Meekan - Marine Biology - 2006.
Tags
#Rhincodontidae
#Rhincodon
#lagon
#plein eau
#récifs extérieurs
#zones côtières troubles
#Bay of Bengal
#Gulf of Mexico
#Persian Gulf
#Great Barrier Reef
#mer d'Oman
#Caribbean Sea
#Philippine Sea
#Sea of Japan
#Red Sea
#South East Asian Seas
#Indonesian seas
#Atlantic Ocean: North Coast of Brazil
#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Angulhas
#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Bengala
#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Golfe de guinée
#Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean
#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Transition & Cap Vert
#Gough Island
#Saint Helena
#Northwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean
#Southwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean
#Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean
#Southwest Tropical Atlantic Ocean
#western Indian Ocean
#Desventuradas Islands
#Galapagos
#Océan Pacifique Nord Est Tempere Chaud
#Océan Pacifique sud-est tempéré chaud
#Tropical Eastern Pacific
#Western Tropical Pacific Ocean
#Réunion
#French Polynesia
Species of the same biotope
Scientific partners