How many Coelacanths were spoted in Sodwana Bay,South Africa?

How big are coelacanths?

Why does the coelacanth have so many fins?

Does the coelacanth have scales?

Can you find coelacanths any where else (Besides The Comoros and Sodwana Bay?

Please keep me updated.

Thank you . Sumesha Durais

-- Sumesha Durais (www.msbc@mweb.co.za), April 09, 2002

Answers

Hi Sumesha,

Thanks for your interest in coelacanths!

We found somewhere between about 9 and 12 individuals on our dives in Jago, including at least 4 of those seen before by the scuba diving expeditions undertaken by Pieter Venter and his companions.

It takes some time to analyse the video footage and determine exactly which individuals were seen on each dive; this is done by matching up the pattern of white dots on the side of each coelacanth.

Juvenile coelacanths are thought to be born at about 40cm or so; some large adults are thought to be just over 2m (sightings). The largest accurately measured coelacanth was

The coelacanth doesn't have an exceptionally large number of fins; most fish have 7 fins (the dorsal fin on the top, the caudal or tail fin, the anal fin, two pelvic/ventral fins and two pectoral fins), while coelacanths (and several other fish, particularly sharks) have 8, the additional fin being another dorsal fin. Coelacanths and other fish use these fins for moving around underwater, and to stop themselved rolling around in the water - the fixed medial (in the midline of the body) fins are particularly important to fish in keeping "upright" (the dorsal and anal fins are particularly important). The other fins are usually used for propultion and manouvering.

Yes, coelacanths are covered in scales like many bony fishes, although coelacanth scales are unusually large.

Coelacanths have also been found in Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia and Madagascar.

I hope this answers your questions!

-- James Stapley (fishwatch@ru.ac.za), May 06, 2002.

Hi Sumesha,

Thanks for your interest in coelacanths!

We found somewhere between about 9 and 12 individuals on our dives in Jago, including at least 4 of those seen before by the scuba diving expeditions undertaken by Pieter Venter and his companions.

It takes some time to analyse the video footage and determine exactly which individuals were seen on each dive; this is done by matching up the pattern of white dots on the side of each coelacanth.

Juvenile coelacanths are thought to be born at about 40cm or so; some large adults are thought to be just over 2m (sightings). The largest accurately measured coelacanth was 183 cm and 96 kg in weight.

The coelacanth doesn't have an exceptionally large number of fins; most bony fishes have 7 fins (the dorsal fin on the top, the caudal or tail fin, the anal fin, two pelvic/ventral fins and two pectoral fins), while coelacanths (and several other fish, particularly sharks) have 8, the additional fin being another dorsal fin. Coelacanths and other fish use these fins for moving around underwater, and to stop themselved rolling around in the water - the fixed medial (in the midline of the body) fins are particularly important to fish in keeping "upright" (the dorsal and anal fins are particularly important). The other fins are usually used for propultion and manouvering.

Yes, coelacanths are covered in scales like many bony fishes, although coelacanth scales are unusually large.

Coelacanths have also been found in Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia and Madagascar.

I hope this answers your questions!

-- James Stapley (fishwatch@ru.ac.za), May 06, 2002.