Fossil Fish
     


The fish named coelacanth (see-la-kanth) is one of the oldest living organism known to man. The coelacanth has remained the same for around 510 Million years.

DISCOVERY

     The coelacanth was caught December 22, 1938 off the southern shore of Madagascar. When examined the fish  showed that it resembled 510,000,000 years old fossil. The theory that the coelacanth evolved into mammals and small reptiles was developed by Mr. Smith. This idea was known as the Smith Theory. The fish meant so much to Mr. Smith that he slept by it even before it was stuffed.


DESCRIPTION

     The coelacanth has been described by scientists as a fish with scales that look like crystal, gold, and sapphire fused together.

     The coelacanth is 5-6 ft long and weighs a whopping 108 lbs. The coelacanth has a double jointed jaw and teeth in only the front of the mouth. The spine of the coelacanth is empty and the same goes for half of it's skull, the other half is filled with the brain



HABITAT

The coelacanth is found deep under water. Warm water would cause it to die. The coelacanth doesn't like other fish. The coelacanth doesn't travel in packs. The first coelacanth found in it's natural habitat was 2000 km, off the southern shore of Madagascar.


PREDATOR/PREY

     The coelacanth likes to feast on jellyfish and, squid. Also known as the "Goat of the Sea" it will eat almost anything that looks tasty. One was actually found dead from indigestion. The only known predators are sharks and other carnivorous fish bigger than it.

FUN FACTS

     The coelacanth lived more than 150,000,000 years before the dinosaurs. On its belly it has 4 small fins that appear to be small stubs of feet, so another nickname is "Old Four-Legs." Another amazing fact about the coelacanth is that it gives birth to live young.

     In conclusion, if the Smith Theory that the coelacanth evolved into mammals is correct. Without the coelacanth we never would have existed.

nothing

and again - your point ?
Surely if the coelocanth had evolved into land bound slinging mammals - we still wouldn't be able to catch them swimming around in the sea :-)