# 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.

- **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Deep Sea
- **Also known as:** Living Fossil

![Coelacanth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426665/objects/6002.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Coelacanthi
- **Order:** Coelacanthiformes
- **Family:** Latimeriidae
- **Genus:** Latimeria

## 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

- **Lobed Leg-Fins:** Coelacanth has sturdy, paired lobe-fins that help them 'walk' along the seafloor, moving like an early land animal.
- **Electric Sniffer:** Coelacanth can detect electric fields using a special rostral organ, which helps them find hidden prey in the dark.
- **Skull Hinge Mouth:** Coelacanth has a unique skull joint that allows its jaw to open very wide, helping them swallow large prey whole.
- **Fatty Floatation:** 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
- **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Deep Sea](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deep-sea): Deep sea habitats are characterized by extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures, supporting unique life forms below the sunlit zone.
- [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
- [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting.

## Collections

- [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Coelacanths live in the deep ocean and are not encountered by people, so there's no need to worry about them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Coelacanth?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Coelacanth?

150-180 cm

### How much does Coelacanth weigh?

65-98 kg

### How long does Coelacanth live?

60-100 years

### What does Coelacanth eat?

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

### How fast can Coelacanth swim?

1.5 km/h

### Where is Coelacanth usually found?

Deep Sea

### How does Coelacanth hunt?

Ambush

## More Fish

- [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*)
- [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*)
- [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*)
- [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*)

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Source: [Coelacanth: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coelacanth)