West Indian Ocean Coelacanth [Latimeria chalumnae]
Description
The West Indian Ocean Coelacanth is an ancient fish that lives in deep-sea caves near the Comoro Islands off the east coast of Africa. It is considered a 'living fossil' as its features have remained remarkably similar to fossil records. The species can grow up to 2 meters in length and has a unique feature of 'lobed' fins that move in a peculiar way, as if the fish were 'walking' underwater. They have a dark blue or brownish color, scales are thick and rough with a lobe-shaped caudal fin.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Lobe-Fin Fish
Sarcopterygii
|
| Order |
Coelacanths
Coelacanthiformes
|
| Family |
Latimeriidae
Latimeriidae
|
| Genus |
Coelacanths
Latimeria
|