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Komoren-Quastenflosser

Latimeria chalumnae

Critically Endangered
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
100 years
Length
1.8 m
Weight
80.0 kg
Population
500
Trend
↓ Decreasing

About

A living fossil thought extinct for 65 million years until rediscovered off South Africa in 1938, coelacanths can reach 2 meters and 90 kg. They belong to an ancient lobe-finned lineage more closely related to tetrapods than to ray-finned fish, making them scientifically invaluable for understanding vertebrate evolution. Found in deep rocky reef habitats of the Indian Ocean, they are nocturnal and undergo internal fertilization, giving birth to fully formed live young. Critically Endangered.

Fun Facts

  • They have lobed fins that move in an alternating pattern like legs.
  • They can live over 100 years.
  • They were known from fossils before being found alive.

Habitat & Distribution

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 8 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Afrotropic and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Distributed across Comoros, Indonesia, Mozambique, and South Africa. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Diet & Behavior

🥩
Carnivore
Komoren-Quastenflosser is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore
Animal matter 100%

Conservation Status

CR Critically Endangered
Estimated Population
500
Population Trend
Decreasing

Full Taxonomy

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Celacanto
French Coelacanthe
German Komoren-Quastenflosser
Russian латимерия

Similar Species in Latimeria

Explore More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Komoren-Quastenflosser?
The scientific name of Komoren-Quastenflosser is Latimeria chalumnae. It belongs to the genus Latimeria.
What is the conservation status of Komoren-Quastenflosser?
Komoren-Quastenflosser (Latimeria chalumnae) is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is decreasing.
Where does Komoren-Quastenflosser live?
Komoren-Quastenflosser is found in Distributed across Comoros, Indonesia, Mozambique, and South Africa. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.. Countries include Comoros, Indonesia, Mozambique, South Africa.
What family does Komoren-Quastenflosser belong to?
Komoren-Quastenflosser (Latimeria chalumnae) belongs to the genus Latimeria, which is part of the taxonomic family Latimeriidae.
What does Komoren-Quastenflosser eat?
Komoren-Quastenflosser is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.
How long does Komoren-Quastenflosser live?
Komoren-Quastenflosser has an average lifespan of approximately 100 years in the wild.
How many Komoren-Quastenflosser are left in the wild?
The estimated wild population of Komoren-Quastenflosser (Latimeria chalumnae) is approximately 500 individuals.
Is Komoren-Quastenflosser endangered?
Yes, Komoren-Quastenflosser (Latimeria chalumnae) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.

Native Range — 4 Countries

Genus Latimeria — 2 Species

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Komoren-Quastenflosser
Latimeria chalumnae
CR
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Manado-Quastenflosser
Latimeria menadoensis
VU

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