Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) fish species and information / pictures of Coelacanth - Latimeria chalumnae

Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) fish species information

Scientific Name
Latimeria chalumnae

Common Name
Coelacanth

Biology
Known as the living fossil. Inhabits steep rocky shores, sheltering in caves during the day (Ref. 38425), with as much as 14 individuals in a single cave (Ref. 38426). Foraging singly over open substrate at night (Ref. 38426), it drifts passively with the current or swims slowly with its paired fins and its second dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 38427). May travel as much as 8 km at night searching for food and retreats to the nearest cave before dawn (Ref. 38426). Preys on fishes and squid (Ref. 26162). Beryx, Polymixia, Symphysanodon, apogonids, a skate, an eel and a swell shark have been known to be eaten (Ref. 11228). Its main enemies are likely to be large sharks (Ref. 26162). Ovoviviparous, with as much as 5-29 young (Ref. 11228, 37171). Gestation period estimated at 3 years, which would be the longest known in vertebrates (Ref. 30865). A small relative

Classification

Classified By

Smith, 1939

Class

Lobe-finned fishes (Sarcopterygii)

Order

Coelacanths (Coelacanthiformes)

Family

Gombessa (Latimeriidae)

Distribution

Region

Indian Ocean

Distribution

Indian Ocean: well known population off the islands of Grand Comoro and Anjouan in the Comoros. Other populations in South Africa (Ref. 11228, 38218), Madagascar (Ref. 26162), and Mozambique (Ref. 27415). Likely to occur as strays at islands like Astove and Cosmoledo (Ref. 1623). International trade banned (CITES I, since 18.1.1990).

Range

3°S - 34°S, 25°E - 51°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

13 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

150 m

Depth To - meters

700 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 150 - 700 m (Ref. 38430), usually 180 - 250 m (Ref. 27564)

Trophic Level

4.40000009536743 s.e. 0.72 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

168 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.2539 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (86 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.06-0.26; tmax=48; Fec=5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (A2cd, C2b)