Coelacanths are a part of Sarcopterygii or the lobe-finned fishes, the same clade as the lungfish and tetrapods, and they all possess lobed fins as opposed to rayed fins.

Dec 12, 2025 · Coelacanth, any of the two living lobe-finned bony fishes of the genus Latimeria. Order Coelacanthiformes, to which all coelacanths belong, was thought to have died out about …

The coelacanth is a "passive drift feeder," moving slowly and passively near the substrate where it feeds primarily on cephalopods (cuttlefish, squid, and octopus) and fish.

Coelacanths, extinct and extant, belong to a group known as lobe-finned fishes (Sarcopterygii). They have multiple fleshy, limb-like fins. Before the first expeditions to see them in their natural …

Aug 11, 2025 · The African coelacanth was believed to have gone extinct over 65 million years ago but was rediscovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938. Learn about the status and …

The coelacanth is a piscivorous (fish-eating), nocturnal animal. It resides in caves during daylight hours, possibly for protection from predatory sharks and to save energy for night feeding.

Coelacanths are elusive, deep-sea creatures, living in depths up to 2,300 feet below the surface. They can be huge, reaching 6.5 feet or more and weighing 198 pounds. Scientists estimate …

Coelacanths live in deep waters off of southeastern Africa. Only once fishers started fishing deeper and deeper was this species discovered. Before that time, this entire family of fishes …

The Coelacanth (pronounced SEE-la-kanth) is not just any fish; it is a marvel of biological tenacity. Belonging to the order Coelacanthiformes, these remarkable animals are the last surviving …

Scientists believe individual coelacanths may live as long as 60 years. The coelacanth appears to be a cousin of Eusthenopteron, the fish credited with growing legs and coming ashore – 360 …