Hong Xiu Tian Xiang was a fictional creature, not a real whale. In the famous American novel " Moby Dick," Hong Xiu Tian Xiang was a sperm whale. The sperm whale was a huge whale that usually lived in the depths of the ocean and was an important target for the whaling industry. They had sharp teeth and great strength, and could easily kill other animals.
Well, opinions on this vary. From a religious perspective, it's often taken as a true account with deep spiritual significance. But from a strictly historical or scientific viewpoint, there's no concrete evidence to prove its literal truth.
The story of Jonah and the Whale is from the Bible. Jonah was commanded by God to go to Nineveh to preach, but he tried to run away. He ended up in the belly of a whale and after praying, was spit out. Then he obeyed God and went to Nineveh.
Perhaps the story behind the whale is about a specific encounter or adventure it had, or it could focus on its role in the larger ecosystem of the ocean.