What is a Coelacanth?
Technically, the coelacanth is an order of fish of the Sarcopterygii class. They are dark blue with lighter specks and can reach over six foot in length. They have fins, including a tail fin divided into three lobes. Their scales are rough and have reportedly been used by locals as the equivalent of sand paper. Their bodies ooze oil which is a laxative – coelacanths are not good to eat! The coelacanth’s eyes are highly sensitive and they avoid bright light such as daytime or full moons. They have a weird extra sensory device, an electroreceptive rosteral organ, in their skull. This is probably used for hunting – when they find prey, they can open their hinged skull wide to swallow it. Coelacanths are ovoviparous and give birth to as many as 26 pups. They are believed to be able to slow down their metabolic rate and hence survive long periods when food is scarce.
