What is the largest species of fish?

The largest species of fish is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which can grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) in length. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are gentle filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton, krill, and small fish. They are found in tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide and are known for their slow, graceful swimming. Whale sharks are not aggressive toward humans and are considered a vulnerable species due to overfishing and habitat loss.