The Coelacanth

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

1

The Coelacanth Order: Coelacanthiformes

• Family: Latimeriidae

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

2

Why is the Coelacanth so popular?

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

3

Coelacanth Structure

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

4

Coelacanth Habits Nocturnal, feed at

night by drifting in currents above the bottom

Aggregate and rest in caves (150-250m.) during the day

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

5

Sturgeons Class Actinopterygii

• Subclass Chondrosteio Family Acipenseridae

Species:• Shortnose Sturgeon

(Acipenser brevirostrum)

• Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

6

Sturgeon Characteristics Cartilaginous skeleton, heterocercal caudal fin, and

spiral valve intestine 5 rows of bony scutes Highly protrusible mouth, preceded with barbels

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

7

Sturgeon Habits Benthic cruisers, using barbels and electrical organs in the snout to detect

prey Large size, slow growth, and long lived Highly fecund

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

8

Migrations Anadromous species Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) migrates 1,500 miles

up the Danube and Volga rivers. (Russian Caviar)

Prices

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

9

Species of Concern Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

10

Tarpon and Ladyfish Class

Actinopterygii• Family Elopidae

Common species:• Tarpon (Megalops

atlanticus)• Ladyfish (Elops

saurus)

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

11

Elopidae Characteristics Streamlined predators with large

cycloid scales and deeply forked tails

Elops saurus

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

12

Elopidae Characteristics Found in shallow, marine water

• Occasionally freshwater

Megalops atlanticus

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

13

Elopidae Reproduction Leptocephalus

larvae• Planktonic, thin

and transparent• Leaf-like body

allows direct nutrient absorption

Females are highly fecund