West Indian Ocean Coelacanth
NameWest Indian Ocean Coelacanth
Scientific NameLatimeria chalumnae
Common NamesCoelacanth, Gombessa, African Coelacanth
FamilyLatimeriidae
OriginWestern Indian Ocean, Comoros Islands, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar
Temperamentaggressive
Dietcarnivore
Care Levelexpert
Max Size (Inches)79
Water TypeSaltwater
Temperature Range (°F)46-64
pH Range7.3-8.0
Description
The West Indian Ocean Coelacanth is a critically endangered deep-sea fish, famously known as a "living fossil" due to its ancient lineage. This large, nocturnal predator inhabits deep reef slopes and volcanic caves, feeding on other fish and cephalopods. It is impossible to keep in a home aquarium due to its specialized deep-sea habitat requirements.
