Ocean’s 10 Longest Fish (It’s Scarier Than You Might Imagine)
Fish come in every shape and size, but the longest ones are downright startling. While most exist deep in the ocean, these giants could stretch across a basketball court—or three. All of them exceed the definition of what a “fish” should look like, and size is only part of the story.
Whale Shark — 60 feet
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The whale shark is the longest living fish, with verified individuals stretching past 60 feet. Despite its name and size, it’s not dangerous and instead slurps up plankton through a broad, filter-feeding mouth. Each one has a unique pattern of spots, which makes them as identifiable as fingerprints.
Giant Oarfish — 36 feet
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The giant oarfish is often mistaken for a sea serpent. It can grow to 36 feet and drift vertically through deep ocean waters. Oarfish are rarely seen alive because they tend to stick to depths between 600 and 3,000 feet. When one washes ashore, it sparks local legends.
Basking Shark — 30 feet
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These gentle giants cruise with wide open mouths while filtering tiny creatures from seawater. They grow over 30 feet long but pose no threat to swimmers. They can even filter thousands of gallons of water in just an hour. They disappear into deeper waters once colder months hit.
Largetooth Sawfish — 23 feet
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A sawfish looks like someone crossed a shark with a chainsaw. The largetooth species can hit lengths over 23 feet, partly thanks to its long, serrated snout. It uses that blade to swipe at schools of fish. Though it looks aggressive, it rarely bothers people.
Greenland Shark — 23 feet
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The Greenland shark doesn’t win races, but it dominates in longevity. Scientists believe these slow-moving giants can live over 500 years, which makes them the longest-living vertebrates on the planet. They reach up to 23 feet, and glide through cold Arctic waters, often at depths humans can’t access.
Beluga Sturgeon — 23 feet
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Beluga sturgeon are the heaviest freshwater fish, but they often reach saltwater too. The biggest ones grow up to 23 feet and weigh over 3,000 pounds. They’re prized for their eggs, which become beluga caviar. The demand has pushed them close to extinction.
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray — 23 feet
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The giant oceanic manta ray glides with a wingspan up to 23 feet. Despite their size, they pose no threat and eat only plankton. They’re often spotted near cleaning stations; spots where smaller fish nibble parasites off their skin.
Great White Shark — 19 feet
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Most great white sharks grow up to 15 feet, but a few of them have stretched over 19 feet. These sharks have a torpedo-shaped body and rows of serrated teeth. Despite their reputation, they aren’t particularly interested in humans, and casualties remain rare.
Tiger Shark — 18 feet
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Tiger sharks don’t stick to a seafood-only diet. They’re known for eating almost anything—license plates, tires, you name it. Adults can grow over 18 feet long and weigh nearly a ton. They get their name from the faint vertical stripes on their body, which fade as they age.
Kaluga — 18 feet
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The Kaluga sturgeon, found in the Amur River basin, isn’t a fish many people recognize, but it can grow longer than a pickup truck. Some individuals can reach about 18 feet in length. Overfishing for their valuable roe has sharply reduced their numbers, and the species is now critically endangered.