( 21,500 kilograms ) in weight , and some anecdotes suggest they can get even larger .
whale sharks are the largest fishes .
manta rays are captured in targeted fisheries and incidentally as bycatch .
 
whale sharks prefer warm tropical waters that are 79 to 86 degrees fahrenheit ( 26.5 to 30 degrees celsius ) .
however , in recent years , fishermen have increasingly sighted these giant fish around the azores islands , nine volcanic isles in the central north atlantic west of portugal .
photos : shark teeth weapons reveal surprises many rays , such as these , are also in peril .
lack of controls on fisheries and international trade in shark and ray can grow several feet across .
the whale sharks historically have preferred .