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    Home » What is a Coelacanth?

    What is a Coelacanth?

    July 7, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    This activity is part of my Around the World in 50 Experiments series. Today we’re travelling to Comoros and Mayotte to learn about an ancient fish called a Coelacanth.

    Comoros is one of the smallest countries in the world, made up of a group of islands in the Western Indian Ocean.

    Comoros and Mayotte Political Map
    Comoros and Mayotte

    The southern part of La Grande Comore is home to an active shield volcano called Mt Karthala which last erupted in 2007.

    Comoros is a large producer of the ylang ylang plant, which contains an oil used in perfume. The islands also grow cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, jasmine and orange.

    ylang ylang plant
    Ylang Ylang Plant

    Comoros and the Fossil Fish

    What is a Coelacanth?

    Coelacanths are an ancient fish known as living fossils. They were thought to have become extinct 65 million years ago at the same time as dinosaurs until a living one was found in 1938.

    Coelacanth image on a black background
    Coelacanth

    Coelacanths are now mostly found in the Comoros in the twilight zone of the ocean where they cluster in caves during the day and come out to feed a night.

    They can be over 6.5 ft long and are thought to live for up to 60 years!

    Unusual features of the Coelacanth

    A hinged joint in the skull which can open to help the fish eat large prey.

    Thick scales usually only found in extinct fish.

    They give birth to live young.

    A notochord – oil filled tube which acts as a backbone.

    They are very oily and don’t taste good to humans.

    Coelacanth Activity

    You can make your own Coelacanth fossil using clay.

    You’ll need

    Modelling clay

    Clay modelling tools

    Clay model of a coelacanth fish fossil
    Clay Coelacanth Fossil

    How to make a Coelacanth fossil

    Roll out a sheet of clay.

    Etch a Coelacanth into the sheet of clay.

    Leave to dry.

    You have your very own replica Coelacanth fossil.

    Coelacanth Fossil
    Coelacanth Fossil

    We also made some smaller fishy fossils using mini plastic fish pressed into clay.

    Fish fossils made from clay
    Clay fishy fossils

    How do fossils form?

    A fossil is the remains of a dead organism. For a fossil to form the conditions have to be just right so the process is quite rare.

    Most fossils form by a process called petrification.

    Step 1 – After an animal dies the soft parts start to rot away. Sometimes other animals, known as scavengers eat part of the remains.

    Step 2 – sediment covers what is left of the body, usually only the hard parts ( skeleton and teeth )

    Step 3 – More and more layers of sediment ( small particles of rock, mud, silt and sand ) build up putting pressure onto the lower layers. This pressure eventually turns the sediment into sedimentary rock.

    Step 4- Water seeps into the bones, dissolving them. The bone is replaced by minerals in the water leaving a replica of the original bone behind. It’s this rock replica that we call a fossil!

    Around the World in 50 Experiments Comoros

    Don’t forget to download the FREE passport and head off on your next Around the World in 50 Experiments adventure.

    Continue the learning

    Read more about the Coelacanth.

    Make dinosaur fossils!

    Set up your own rock lab to discover how rocks form.

    Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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