ExploreFish

Coelacanth

Latimeria chalumnae

The Coelacanth is a prehistoric fish that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1938. It has unique lobed fins and can grow up to 6 feet long.

Habitat: Deep Sea

Appearance

The Coelacanth has distinctive, muscular lobe-fins that resemble limbs, and a unique three-lobed tail fin. Its body is covered in large, plate-like blue-grey scales, giving it a prehistoric, armored appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassCoelacanthiOrderCoelacanthiformesFamilyLatimeriidaeGenusLatimeria

Coelacanth

Interesting facts

Coelacanths can live for over 100 years, making them super old fish!

Their special fins move like walking, similar to early land animals.

They have armored scales that protect them like a knight's suit.

They were thought extinct for 65 million years before being found again!

Special abilities

Coelacanth has sturdy, paired lobe-fins that help them 'walk' along the seafloor, moving like an early land animal.

Coelacanth can detect electric fields using a special rostral organ, which helps them find hidden prey in the dark.

Coelacanth has a unique skull joint that allows its jaw to open very wide, helping them swallow large prey whole.

Coelacanth has an oil-filled notochord and fatty organs that help them remain perfectly buoyant without much effort.

Measurements & details

Length: 150-180 cm
Weight: 65-98 kg
Lifespan: 60-100 years
Swim Speed: 1.5 km/h
Max Depth: 700 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Coelacanths are stealthy deep-sea hunters that ambush fish and squid in the dark ocean depths.

Primary Foods

small fish
squid
octopus
crustaceans

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

Blackmouth Cardinalfish

Epigonus telescopus

Coelacanths prey on these deep-sea fish in their habitat.

eats

Odd bobtail squid

Heteroteuthis dispar

Squid are a common part of the Coelacanth's deep-sea diet.

eaten by

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Hexanchus griseus

Larger sharks may opportunistically prey on Coelacanths.

Traits

Wildlife

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Piscivorous

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Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Deep Sea

Plunge into the mysterious, dark depths of the ocean, where bizarre and wonderful creatures live under immense pressure! It's a world unlike any other.

Regenerative

Imagine if you could grow back a lost arm or tail! Some incredible creatures have the power to regrow body parts, making them truly amazing survivors in nature.

Aquatic

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Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.