coelacanth
| Scientific name | Latimeria chalumnae |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Smith |
| Year of description | 1939 |
| IUCN category (World) | CR |
| Family | Latimeriidae |
| Genus | Latimeria |
Introduction
Latimeria chalumnae, commonly known as coelacanth, is a salt water fish from the western Indian Ocean.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size168 cm
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Maximum size200 cm
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Longevity48 year
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ShapeOval
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Patternmottling
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Average size168 cm
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Maximum size200 cm
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Longevity48 year
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ShapeOval
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Patternmottling
How to recognize the coelacanth ?
The coelacanth measures between 168 and 200 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly noir and beige body. The also has beige mottling.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous
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Sociabilitysolitary
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territorialNo
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Way of livingnocturnal
The coelacanth is a fish solitary naturally found near the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.
Although the coelacanth is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovovivipare
The coelacanth is a fish ovovivipare.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature13 - 18 °C
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Depth150 - 700 m
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FlowSlow
Biotope presentation
The coelacanth is most often found at a depth between 150m and 700m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
To go further
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Adrien Falzon
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Latimeria, the Living Coelacanth, Is Ovoviviparous - C. Lavett Smith - Charles S. Rand - Bobb Schaeffer - James W. Atz - science - 1975.
The structure of the scales of Latimeria chalumnae - Moya Meredith Smith - M. H. Hobdell - W. A. Miller - ZSL - 1972.
Cranial nerves of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae [Osteichthyes: Sarcopterygii: Actinistia], and comparisons with other craniata. - Northcutt RG - Bemis WE - Karger - 1993.
Feeding ecology and evolutionary survival of the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae - H. Fricke - K. Hissmann - Springer Nature - 2000.
Viviparity and the maternal-embryonic relationship in the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae - John P. Wourms - James W. Atz - M. Dean Stribling - Springer link - 1991.
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
