Species
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Also known as Checkerboard Shark
Tier 5ultralight tackleNSWWA
0 waypoints6–11 cm (max 15 cm) typical
Overview: about whale shark
Gentle giant of the Indo-Pacific, encountered in NSW and WA over inshore reefs and beaches. Typically feeds on plankton and small nektonic life in shallow waters, 8-9m deep, and can be spotted while snorkelling or diving. Despite its massive size, the whale shark is a harmless filter-feeder, not an active predator, and poses no threat to anglers.
Biology: Whale Shark size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Beach, Inshore, Pelagic, Reef
- Typical size
- 6–11 cm (max 15 cm)
- Depth range
- 8–9 m
- Diet
- plankton including copepods, krill, chaetognaths, jellyfish, fish eggs, Christmas Island red crab larvae and small nektonic life, small squid or fish
- Global range
- Indo-Pacific
Recent community catches: anglers who caught whale shark
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More information: whale shark references & sources
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