"Living fossil" fish can live up to 100 years

21 Jun 2021

Image depicting "Living fossil" fish that can live up to 100 years, coelacanth, curious times

“Living fossil” fish can live up to 100 years

“Living fossil” fish can live up to 100 yearsThe coelacanth is a type of fish known as a "living fossil". It is called so because it has been alive for millions of years. Scientists thought it had gone extinct with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago but was rediscovered in 1938.

The coelacanth lives in caves, deep in the ocean. It is found only near the coasts of Indonesia and Africa's Comoros Islands. The fish is very rarely seen and is huge in size. It can grow as long as 6 feet (that's as tall as an adult human).

Earlier, scientists believed that it lives to about 20 years. But now, new studies show that it can live up to 100 years! Not only that, but coelacanths carry their babies in their stomachs for as long as 5 years!

However, sadly today, climate change and overfishing has made the fish's population less. So, it needs stronger protection to survive.
How can scientists tell the age of coelacanths?
By studying the marks on the scales of coelacanths in museums. Just like tree rings, the marks on a coelacanth's scales can tell its age. So, the more marks it has, the older the fish is.

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The coelacanth is a type of fish known as a “living fossil”. It is called so because it has been alive for millions of years. […]

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