Biggest fish: freshwater and marine champions

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as the biggest fish by weight, and length - is, of course, the whale shark.This gigantic sea giant has no competitors for this title.He lives happily in the waters of the ocean, and to this day.The whale shark feeds exclusively on plankton, which includes crustaceans, squid and small fish.Usually it swims with mouth open, along the way collecting their prey and filtering it through a special filter device, which is also available only for largemouth and giant sharks.This giant is very slow, it is known for its apathetic and lethargic disposition.For people whale shark is absolutely safe.Experienced divers love these tranquil and balanced giants, often to touch them with your hands or on their back swing.Whale sharks reach a length of 23 meters and their weight - about 18-20 tons.

From the very vast sea fish, of course, everything is clear, its leadership is undeniable.But freshwater species is not so simple.Among the contenders for the same title are considered ordinary catfish, giant Arapaima, beluga, Mekong catfish.So who among them is the record for weight and length?If you refer to the historical facts, the biggest fish that lives in fresh water, it was caught in the XIX century.It was a catfish weighing 336 kg and a length of 4.6 m. Today, fish, weighing up to 90 kg and a length of 1.5 m, is already safe to be called large.

Another big fish that deserves attention - this alligator gar, or as it is called, alligator pike.This species lives in fresh water, but many scientists assure that these fish occasionally come into the salty sea water.There billfish in Central and North America.They can be seen on the shore, where they breathe air and bask in the sun.Externally pike alligator looks quite unusual.In the front part of its body is a huge "beak" with strong powerful jaws that can easily cause injury, even a crocodile.The body is protected by a thick diamond-shaped fish scales.Maximum length of billfish reaches three meters, but there is anecdotal evidence that the specimens have been caught up to five meters long.

Another contender for the title mentioned - the moon-fish.The shape of its body resembles a circle.It is a large class of fish bone.Its length is more than three meters, the weight comes up to 1.5 tons.The Guinness Book of Records registered a case of catch on the shores of Australia in 1908 specimens weighing 2235 kg.The body of the moon-fish short while high.This makes it very strange and original appearance.Anal, caudal and dorsal fins are interconnected.The skin of these fish extravagant very thick.Experienced sailors talk about when running in the moon-fish sharp spear rebounded from it without causing harm.Therefore, she rarely falls prey to large predators such as sharks and killer whales.It can be found in the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.Luna Fish also holds the record for fertility.For once she lays up to 300 million eggs.With regard to diet, then it feeds on plankton and fish fry.

largest fish, both freshwater and marine, in spite of its impressive size, it is very vulnerable and require careful attitude.Just depends on the person of their further future.