WordGarden.iocoelacanth
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈsiləˌkænθ/
Meanings
Noun
a rare deep-sea lobe-finned fish once known mainly from fossils
Beyond the definition
Imagine a fish that swam alongside dinosaurs—then somehow survived extinction. That's the coelacanth. For millions of years, scientists thought this lobe-finned fish was long gone, known only from fossils. Then, in 1938, one was found alive off the coast of South Africa, shocking the scientific world. It's often called a "living fossil" because it retains many features associated with its ancient relatives. Finding a coelacanth is like finding a time capsule from the age of reptiles!
The name "coelacanth" comes from Greek roots meaning "hollow spine," referring to hollow fin spines/rays. These fish are relatively rare and live in deep ocean waters, making them difficult to study. They're not exactly glamorous—they have thick scales and a somewhat comical look—but their continued existence is a testament to life's incredible resilience.
The coelacanth (pronounced SEE-luh-kanth) is an incredibly ancient lineage of lobe-finned fish that was long believed extinct—thought to have vanished around the end of the Cretaceous, roughly 66 million years ago—until its rediscovery in 1938. This remarkable creature is often referred to as a "living fossil" because its overall body plan resembles much older coelacanth fossils (including those from the Devonian and later periods), giving it an almost time-traveler feel.
Originally found near South Africa, coelacanth populations have since been discovered in Indonesia and other deep-sea locations. They inhabit dark, cold waters at depths of up to 700 meters (2,300 feet), making them elusive and challenging to study.
Coelacanths are characterized by their robust bodies, thick scales, lobed fins (which they use for maneuvering rather than strong swimming), and a unique rostral organ in their snout that helps detect electrical fields. This organ is thought to aid in hunting prey in the dark depths. They grow slowly, live long lives (potentially over 80 years!), and reproduce by giving birth to live young.
The rediscovery of the coelacanth was one of the greatest zoological finds of the 20th century. It provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study an ancient vertebrate lineage and gain insights into the evolution of fish, tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates), and ultimately, land animals. While coelacanths face threats such as accidental capture in fishing gear and pressures from deepwater fishing, conservation efforts are underway to protect this extraordinary survivor from the prehistoric past. So when you hear "coelacanth," think of a living link to a world long gone—a fish that defied extinction and continues to swim through time.
Examples
- 1
Scientific discovery
Scientists were shocked when a coelacanth was found alive off the coast of South Africa in 1938.
- 2
Museum display
The museum's coelacanth display attracted visitors who had only read about the species in textbooks.
- 3
Evolutionary research
Biologists study coelacanths for clues about how early vertebrates moved from water onto land.
See also
Shades of meaning
- Latimeria
- living fossil
Contrast
- ray-finned fish
Used with (collocations)
- living coelacanth
- coelacanth fossil
- coelacanth discovery
Explore
- lobe-finned fish
- lungfish
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- coelacanthnoun