WoRMS taxon details
Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828
105847 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:105847)
accepted
Species
Micristodus punctatus Gill, 1865 · unaccepted (synonym)
Rhicodon typus Smith, 1828 · unaccepted (misspelling)
Rhineodon typus Smith, 1828 · unaccepted (misspelling)
Rhiniodon typus (Smith, 1828) · unaccepted
Rhinodon pentalineatus Kishinouye, 1901 · unaccepted (synonym)
Rhinodon typicus Smith, 1845 · unaccepted (synonym)
Rhinodon typicus Müller & Henle, 1839 · unaccepted (synonym)
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
Smith, A. (1838-1847). Pisces. <em>In: Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa; consisting chiefly of figures and descriptions of the objects of natural history collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa in 1834-36.</em> v. 4: 77 unnumb. pp, accompanying Pls. 1-31. [Published in parts; see Barnard 1950 for dates of individual parts; fishes from 1838-1847.]. [details]
Holotype MNHN 9855, geounit Table Bay
Holotype MNHN 9855, geounit Table Bay [details]
Description Primarily pelagic, but may enter atoll lagoons or swim above reef slopes, also found in coastal areas. Highly migratory....
Distribution Circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas. Western Atlantic: New York, USA through the Caribbean to central Brazil.
Description Primarily pelagic, but may enter atoll lagoons or swim above reef slopes, also found in coastal areas. Highly migratory. Forms schools and often associated with groups of pelagic fishes. Feeds on plankton, pelagic crustaceans, baitfish, squid, and tuna. Possibly to 2100 cm. (Ref. 5578). Temp. range: 21-25°C; salinity 34-34.5 ppt. Can bump boats but are more often assaulted by humans as they bask in the surface. World's largest fish. Edible and utilized dried-salted (Ref. 9987). [details]
Distribution Circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas. Western Atlantic: New York, USA through the Caribbean to central Brazil.
Distribution Circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas. Western Atlantic: New York, USA through the Caribbean to central Brazil. [details]
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2025). FishBase. Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=105847 on 2025-07-08
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Nomenclature
original description
Smith, A. (1838-1847). Pisces. <em>In: Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa; consisting chiefly of figures and descriptions of the objects of natural history collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa in 1834-36.</em> v. 4: 77 unnumb. pp, accompanying Pls. 1-31. [Published in parts; see Barnard 1950 for dates of individual parts; fishes from 1838-1847.]. [details]
basis of record van der Land, J.; Costello, M.J.; Zavodnik, D.; Santos, R.S.; Porteiro, F.M.; Bailly, N.; Eschmeyer, W.N.; Froese, R. (2001). Pisces, <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 357-374 (look up in IMIS) [details]
basis of record van der Land, J.; Costello, M.J.; Zavodnik, D.; Santos, R.S.; Porteiro, F.M.; Bailly, N.; Eschmeyer, W.N.; Froese, R. (2001). Pisces, <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 357-374 (look up in IMIS) [details]
Ecology
ecology source
Looby, A.; Erbe, C.; Bravo, S.; Cox, K.; Davies, H. L.; Di Iorio, L.; Jézéquel, Y.; Juanes, F.; Martin, C. W.; Mooney, T. A.; Radford, C.; Reynolds, L. K.; Rice, A. N.; Riera, A.; Rountree, R.; Spriel, B.; Stanley, J.; Vela, S.; Parsons, M. J. G. (2023). Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery. <em>Scientific Data.</em> 10(1). (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02745-4 [details] 
Other
context source (HKRMS)
Hong Kong marine fish database. <em>AFCD.</em> , available online at https://www.hk-fish.net/en/fish/introduction/ [details]
context source (RAS) Australian Antarctic Data Centre. , available online at https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/biodiversity/ [details]
context source (Bermuda) Smith-Vaniz, W. F.; Collette, B. B.; Luckhurst, B. E (1999). Fishes of Bermuda: History, zoogeography, annotated checklist, and identification keys (American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists - Special Publication No.4) . ASIH, 424 pp. [details]
context source (PeRMS) Chirichigno, N.; Cornejo, M. (2001). Catálogo comentado de los peces marinos del Perú. <em>2ª ed. Instituto del Mar de Perú. Publicación Especial. Callao.</em> 314 p. [details]
additional source Robins, C. R.; Ray, G. C.; Douglass, J.; Freund, R. (1986). A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. <em>Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston.</em> 1-354. [details]
additional source King, C.M.; Roberts, C.D.; Bell, B.D.; Fordyce, R.E.; Nicoll, R.S.; Worthy, T.H.; Paulin, C.D.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Keyes, I.W.; Baker, A.N.; Stewart, A.L.; Hiller, N.; McDowall, R.M.; Holdaway, R.N.; McPhee, R.P.; Schwarzhans, W.W.; Tennyson, A.J.D.; Rust, S.; Macadie, I. (2009). Phylum Chordata: lancelets, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals. <em>in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia.</em> pp. 431-554. [details]
additional source Compagno, L.J.V. (2001). Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Volume 2. Bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). <em>FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes.</em> No. 1, Vol. 2. Rome, FAO. 269p. [details]
additional source McEachran, J. D. (2009). Fishes (Vertebrata: Pisces) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1223–1316 in: Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). Checklist of marine biota of China seas. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
[request]
additional source Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2025). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (06/2024)., available online at https://www.fishbase.org [details]
context source (RAS) Australian Antarctic Data Centre. , available online at https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/biodiversity/ [details]
context source (Bermuda) Smith-Vaniz, W. F.; Collette, B. B.; Luckhurst, B. E (1999). Fishes of Bermuda: History, zoogeography, annotated checklist, and identification keys (American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists - Special Publication No.4) . ASIH, 424 pp. [details]
context source (PeRMS) Chirichigno, N.; Cornejo, M. (2001). Catálogo comentado de los peces marinos del Perú. <em>2ª ed. Instituto del Mar de Perú. Publicación Especial. Callao.</em> 314 p. [details]
additional source Robins, C. R.; Ray, G. C.; Douglass, J.; Freund, R. (1986). A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. <em>Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston.</em> 1-354. [details]
additional source King, C.M.; Roberts, C.D.; Bell, B.D.; Fordyce, R.E.; Nicoll, R.S.; Worthy, T.H.; Paulin, C.D.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Keyes, I.W.; Baker, A.N.; Stewart, A.L.; Hiller, N.; McDowall, R.M.; Holdaway, R.N.; McPhee, R.P.; Schwarzhans, W.W.; Tennyson, A.J.D.; Rust, S.; Macadie, I. (2009). Phylum Chordata: lancelets, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals. <em>in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia.</em> pp. 431-554. [details]
additional source Compagno, L.J.V. (2001). Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Volume 2. Bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). <em>FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes.</em> No. 1, Vol. 2. Rome, FAO. 269p. [details]
additional source McEachran, J. D. (2009). Fishes (Vertebrata: Pisces) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1223–1316 in: Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). Checklist of marine biota of China seas. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
[request]additional source Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2025). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (06/2024)., available online at https://www.fishbase.org [details]
Present Present in aphia/obis/gbif/idigbio Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
Holotype MNHN 9855, geounit Table Bay [details]
Unreviewed
Description Primarily pelagic, but may enter atoll lagoons or swim above reef slopes, also found in coastal areas. Highly migratory. Forms schools and often associated with groups of pelagic fishes. Feeds on plankton, pelagic crustaceans, baitfish, squid, and tuna. Possibly to 2100 cm. (Ref. 5578). Temp. range: 21-25°C; salinity 34-34.5 ppt. Can bump boats but are more often assaulted by humans as they bask in the surface. World's largest fish. Edible and utilized dried-salted (Ref. 9987). [details]Distribution Circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas. Western Atlantic: New York, USA through the Caribbean to central Brazil. [details]
Habitat nektonic [details]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | tofu sa | [details] |
| English | whale sharkEast Indian basking sharkbasking shark | [details] |
| French | requin baleinechagrin | [details] |
| German | Walhai | [details] |
| Italian | squalo balena | [details] |
| Japanese | ジンベエザメyasurizamejimbeizame | [details] |
| Lithuanian | bangininis ryklys | [details] |
| Modern Greek (1453-) | Φαλαινοκαρχαρίας | [details] |
| Norwegian | hvalhai | [details] |
| Polish | rekin wielorybi | [details] |
| Portuguese | tubarâo baleiapintado | [details] |
| Russian | китовая акула | [details] |
| Scottish Gaelic | mhor | [details] |
| Slovenian | morski pes kitovec | [details] |
| Spanish | tiburón damatiburón ballenadominó | [details] |
| Tagalog | tukutuki tukitukisdang tuku | [details] |
| Thai | chlarm plawarn | [details] |
| Turkish | balina köpekbalığıbalina kopekbaligi | [details] |
| Ukrainian | Китова акулаАкула китова | [details] |
To Barcode of Life (161 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Rhineodon typus Smith, 1828)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (108 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Smith, 1845)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (108 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Müller & Henle, 1839)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (11 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon pentalineatus Kishinouye, 1901)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (22 publications) (from synonym Micristodus punctatus Gill, 1865)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Rhincodon typus)
To FAO Species fact sheets
To FishBase
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon pentalineatus Kishinouye, 1901)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhiniodon typus (Smith, 1828))
To FishBase (from synonym Micristodus punctatus Gill, 1865)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Müller & Henle, 1839)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Smith, 1845)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhineodon typus Smith, 1828)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhicodon typus Smith, 1828)
To FishBase images (Rhincodon typus, St Helena, by Wirtz, P.)
To Fishipedia
To GenBank (115316 nucleotides; 36976 proteins)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To IUCN Red List (Endangered)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Rhincodon typus RAD109868-001)
To PESI
To ITIS
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Rhineodon typus Smith, 1828)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (108 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Smith, 1845)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (108 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Müller & Henle, 1839)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (11 publications) (from synonym Rhinodon pentalineatus Kishinouye, 1901)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (22 publications) (from synonym Micristodus punctatus Gill, 1865)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Rhincodon typus)
To FAO Species fact sheets
To FishBase
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon pentalineatus Kishinouye, 1901)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhiniodon typus (Smith, 1828))
To FishBase (from synonym Micristodus punctatus Gill, 1865)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Müller & Henle, 1839)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhinodon typicus Smith, 1845)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhineodon typus Smith, 1828)
To FishBase (from synonym Rhicodon typus Smith, 1828)
To FishBase images (Rhincodon typus, St Helena, by Wirtz, P.)
To Fishipedia
To GenBank (115316 nucleotides; 36976 proteins)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To IUCN Red List (Endangered)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Rhincodon typus RAD109868-001)
To PESI
To ITIS
