Coelacanth
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
Category
FishRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Lobed Leg-Fins
Coelacanth has sturdy, paired lobe-fins that help them 'walk' along the seafloor, moving like an early land animal.
Ability
Electric Sniffer
Coelacanth can detect electric fields using a special rostral organ, which helps them find hidden prey in the dark.
Ability
Skull Hinge Mouth
Coelacanth has a unique skull joint that allows its jaw to open very wide, helping them swallow large prey whole.
Ability
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Deep Sea
Deep sea habitats are characterized by extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures, supporting unique life forms below the sunlit zone.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Venomous
Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting.
Also known as
Living Fossil
Collections
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 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
How deep can Coelacanth go?
700 m
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