African Coelacanth
The African coelacanth belongs to an ancient lineage of bony, lobe-finned fish. The species was believed to have gone extinct over 65 million years ago but was rediscovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938. The Tanzanian distinct population segment is thought to represent a single, isolated population of the species, having diverged approximately 200,000 years ago. The size of the population is likely small, with no connectivity to other populations. It also has late maturity and the longest generation time of any vertebrate. The main threats to the African coelacanth Tanzanian DPS include bycatch in shark gillnet fisheries and habitat destruction due to development. In 2016, NOAA Fisheries listed the DPS as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
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Species Common Name
Appearance
The coelacanth has several unique physical features. Most notably are its paired lobe fins that extend away from the body and move in an alternating pattern. The body of the fish appears iridescent dark blue in film or video footage but under natural light the color is light brown with white blotches throughout that have been used for individual identification. They also have thick, armor-like scales and a unique joint at the back of the skull that allows them to open their upper and lower jaws at the same time.
The coelacanth is a slow drift-hunter and eats a variety of benthic and epi-benthic prey, such as cephalopods, eels, cuttlefish, and deepwater fishes.
Weight
198 pounds
Lifespan
48 years, average
Length
Up to 6.5 feet
Threats
Bycatch
Habitat destruction
Location Description
The Tanzanian distinct population segment of African coelacanth lives among deep, rocky terraces comprised of sedimentary limestone. In this habitat, coelacanths are thought to use submarine cavities and shelves that have eroded out of the limestone composite for shelter between 230 to 460 feet in depth and in temperatures around 68° F.
Sustainable Seafood
Not Sustainable Seafood
In 2013, NOAA Fisheries received a petition (PDF, 538 pages) to list the African coelacanth as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. In our 90-day finding, we concluded that the petitioned action may be warranted. After completing a status review, we proposed to list the Tanzanian distinct population segment of the species as threatened and requested comments from the public. In 2017, NOAA Fisheries listed the Tanzanian DPS of African coelacanth as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Lifespan and Reproduction
The average lifespan of coelacanths is estimated to be 48 years of age. Female coleacanths reach maturity between 16 and 19 years and give birth to live young after a very lengthy gestation period of 3 years, which is the longest gestation period of any vertebrate species.
Threats
Bycatch
Historically, fisheries bycatch has been the most significant threat to the coelacanth. The Tanzanian distinct population segment in particular is subject to bycatch in the Tanzanian shark gillnet fishery, which has been expanding over the last decade.
Habitat Destruction
The Tanzanian distinct population segment may experience direct habitat loss due to deep-water port construction, including submarine blasting and channel dredging known to occur in coelacanth habitat.
Latimeria chalumnae
Animalia
Chordata
Sarcopterygii
Coelacanthiformes
Latimeriidae
chalumnae
Latimeria
Species Status
ESA Threatened - Foreign
ESA Threatened - Foreign
- Tanzanian DPS
distinct population segment
Species Profile Type
Protected