Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

Scientific name: Latimeria chalumnae Smith, 1939

Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

The Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) is a marine fish of the family Latimeriidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 13–25°C (55–77°F).

Coelacanth care at a glance

Temperature
13–25°C (55–77°F)

Biology

Known as the living fossil. Inhabits steep rocky shores, sheltering in caves during the day, with as much as 14 individuals in a single cave. Foraging singly over open substrate at night, it drifts passively with the current or swims slowly with its paired fins and its second dorsal and anal fins. May travel as much as 8 km at night searching for food and retreats to the nearest cave before dawn. Preys on fishes and squid. Beryx, Polymixia, Symphysanodon, apogonids, a skate, an eel and a swell shark have been known to be eaten. Its main enemies are likely to be large sharks. Ovoviviparous, with as much as 5-29 young. Gestation period estimated at 3 years, which would be the longest known in vertebrates. A small relative

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Latimeria chalumnae
Family
Latimeriidae (Gombessa)
Order
Coelacanthiformes (Coelacanths)
Class
Sarcopterygii (Lobe-finned fishes)
Maximum length
168
Depth range
150–700 m (492–2297 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 150 - 700 m, usually 180 - 250 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Indian Ocean: well known population off the islands of Grand Comoro and Anjouan in the Comoros. Other populations in South Africa, Madagascar, and Mozambique. Likely to occur as strays at islands like Astove and Cosmoledo. International trade banned (CITES I, since 18.1.1990).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered (CR) (A2cd, C2b)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.06-0.26; tmax=48; Fec=5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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