Old headstand swimmer

Again the coelacanth is good for a surprise. Known from fossils dating back 400 million years, the coelacanth was believed to be long extinct until 1938 when a specimen was caught in the waters between South Africa and the Indian Ocean.

The next specimen was only caught 14 years later near the Comoros. A highlight for research, not so much for the locals, who call the fish by that name Kombessa knew.

The first observation in the natural environment was made in 1987 with a submersible at a depth of almost 200 meters. When a coelacanth was sighted around 1997 km from the Comoros in 10.000, that was the next sensation. However, less from the point of view of the fishmonger, in whose display the rare animal was discovered.

The special behavior of the coelacanth when catching prey has now been revealed using the latest medical techniques, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. He hovers upside down close to the sea floor. He scans the underground with an organ, which is sensitive to electric currents. He uses it to track down cephalopods and small fish hiding in the sediment.

It is interesting how stable the coelacanth maintains this position. He hardly has to correct his fins and can therefore hunt with almost no effort. This is achieved through the unique physique, with most of the bone mass concentrated in the skull and at the end of the tail. Because of its weight, the head acts like a plumb bob.

In order to balance the body perfectly, the amount of body fat is adjusted to the water depth. It provides neutral buoyancy, allowing you to float weightlessly at the right height.

Source: University of Copenhagen