Coelacanthiformes Chalumnae

Coelacanth

taxidermy

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Sarcopterygii
• Order: Coelacanthiformes
• Family: Latimeriidae
• Genus: Latimeria
• Species: Chalumnae (West Indian Ocean Coelacanth) / Menadoensis (Indonesian Coelacanth)

Common Names by Region:

• English: Coelacanth
• French: Cœlacanthe
• Spanish: Celacanto
• Japanese: シーラカンス (Shīrakansu)

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Description:

• Appearance: Coelacanths are large, lobe-finned fish with a distinctive blue-gray coloration and a unique anatomy resembling ancient fish species.
• Size: Typically around 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length, but can grow up to 2 meters (6.6 feet).
• Features: They possess paired lobed fins that resemble limbs and a thick, muscular body with tough scales.

Known Range:

• Habitat: Deep underwater caves and rocky reefs in the Indian Ocean, particularly around the Comoros Islands, Madagascar, and Indonesia.
• Depth: Found at depths of around 150 to 700 meters (490 to 2,300 feet).

Diet:

• Carnivorous: Primarily feeds on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
• Ambush Predators: Coelacanths are known to ambush their prey using their large mouths and sharp teeth.

Breeding and Lifecycle:

• Reproduction: Coelacanths are ovoviviparous, meaning females give birth to live young.
• Gestation: Gestation period is estimated to be around 13 to 15 months.
• Young: Offspring are born fully developed and can measure around 30 to 35 centimeters (12 to 14 inches) in length.
• Slow Growth: Coelacanths grow slowly and have a long lifespan, estimated to be around 60 years.