The word Coelacanth is an adaptation of the Modern Latin Cœlacanthus ('hollow spine'), from the Greek κοῖλ-ος (koilos, 'hollow') and ἄκανθ-α (akantha, 'spine'), referring to the hollow See more

Latimeria chalumnae and L. menadoensis are the only two known living coelacanth species. Coelacanths are large, plump, lobe-finned fish that can grow to more than 2 m (6.6 ft) and … See more

The current coelacanth range is primarily along the eastern African coast, although Latimeria menadoensis was discovered off Indonesia. … See more

Coelacanths are ovoviviparous, meaning that the female retains the fertilized eggs within her body while the embryos develop during a gestation … See more

The earliest fossils of coelacanths were discovered in the 19th century. Coelacanths, which are related to lungfishes See more

According to the fossil record, the divergence of coelacanths, lungfish, and tetrapods is thought to have occurred during the See more

Coelacanth locomotion is unique. To move around they most commonly take advantage of up- or down-wellings of current and drift. Their paired fins stabilize movement through … See more