Coelacanthiformes

The Coelacanthiformes, commonly known as coelacanths, represent an ancient order of lobe-finned bony fishes. These fish first appeared approximately 400 million years ago during the Devonian Period. While many species are now extinct, two living species of the genus Latimeria still exist: the African coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) and the Sulawesi coelacanth (L. menadoensis).1

Coelacanths are characterized by their heavy, fleshy bodies and distinctive limblike fins. They are powerful predators, typically reaching about 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weighing around 100 pounds (45 kg). These fish are slow-growing and long-lived, with some individuals estimated to live up to 100 years and reach sexual maturity between 40 and 69 years old. They are live-bearers, giving birth to well-developed young after a gestation period of about five years. Modern coelacanths inhabit mesopelagic waters, generally between 650 and 1,300 feet (200–400 meters) below the surface. Both living species are considered threatened, with the African coelacanth classified as critically endangered and the Sulawesi coelacanth as vulnerable.1