Common name : West Indian Ocean
coelacanth, African coelacanth, Gombessa
Scientific name : Latimeria chalumnae
Family : Latimeriidae
Native to : Atlantic and Indian Ocean
Interesting fact : Coelacanths have
electricity detecting organs in their snouts.
Conservation status : Critically Endangered
Coelacanth means ‘hollow spine’ in Greek, referring to its hollow fin spines. It is a large fish growing up to 1.8 metres and weighing up to 90 kg. It has unique lobed fins that move like legs. Its skull has a hinged joint for eating large prey. It feeds on cuttlefish, squids and octopuses. Lifespan is 60 years.
