World's biggest fish spotted off Eilat coast

A rare sight stunned beachgoers in Eilat yesterday (Sunday), as a whale shark, the largest fish in the world, was spotted gliding through the waters of the Red Sea. The extraordinary encounter was captured by Ruslan Rabin, a resident of Karmiel, who came face-to-face with the gentle giant while swimming near Ketz'a Beach.

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) often reaches lengths of up to 40 feet or more. Despite its size, it is a gentle, slow-moving filter feeder that poses no threat to humans.

Whale sharks are most commonly found in warm, tropical oceans, particularly in areas like the Philippines, Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula), the Maldives, and Western Australia. These regions offer nutrient-rich waters that attract the plankton, small fish, and krill that make up the whale shark’s diet.

Unlike most sharks, whale sharks feed by filtering water through their gills as they swim with their mouths wide open. They are known for their striking appearance: grayish-blue bodies dotted with white spots and stripes that form unique patterns on each individual, much like a fingerprint.

Whale sharks are solitary by nature but sometimes gather in large numbers at feeding sites, especially during seasonal plankton blooms. They are slow swimmers, cruising at around 3 miles per hour, and can dive to depths of over 1,000 meters. Despite their docile behavior, whale sharks are considered vulnerable, largely due to threats like boat strikes, plastic pollution, and unregulated tourism. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this majestic giant of the sea.