Coelacanth
 
Comoros Coelacanths are slow reproducers and are therefore very sensitive to over hunting. They have no known natural predators. The fishermen of Madagascar fish them regularly and use them as food after being salted and dried. The scales are used as sandpaper. Coelacanths are captured by scientists because of their peculiarity and they are also wanted as museum specimens. They are also sought after for their oil which is thought to have life-extending capabilities. They are considered to be vulnerable.
Distribution
The Comoros coelacanth is a benthic fish and not of the true deep waters. They live 200 m below the sea level. The first specimen was caught off South Africa and is the only one to be found in that area. All the rest have been found in the waters surrounding the Comoro Islands near Madagascar. They do not migrate.
Fossilized coelacanths have been found on every continent but Antarctica.
Food
The Comoros coelacanth feeds on small benthic fish, such as cardinalfish and lanternfish. They also prey upon cuttlefish. It is thought that they creep along the seabed on their flipper-like fins to stalk their food.
Reproduction
It is known that they produce only about five to twenty-six eggs at a time. The eggs hatch inside the female and the fry are born alive.
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