What shark species is the largest fish in the order Lamniformes?

The basking shark is the largest fish in the shark order Lamniformes.

Its scientific name is Cetorhinus maximus, and it is the only living species in the family Cetorhinidae. Although it is enormous, it ranks second among living fish overall: the whale shark is larger. Basking sharks commonly reach about 7.9 metres, while exceptional individuals exceed 10 metres.

The order Lamniformes also includes great white sharks, mako sharks, thresher sharks, goblin sharks, and the megamouth shark. The basking shark is easy to mistake for a great white at a distance, but its huge mouth, long gill slits, and dark gill rakers reveal that it is a filter feeder rather than a large-toothed predator.

It feeds mainly on plankton by swimming with its mouth open and filtering seawater through its gills. Its name comes from its habit of appearing to “bask” at the surface. Despite its size, it is generally harmless to people.