Our new coelacanth replica is a cause for celebration! It is just soooooo cool. Our Plastic Coelacanth Model
Safari, Ltd., has outdone themselves with this strikingly realistic plastic model of the amazing coelacanth. Made with great attention to detail, this fish almost looks real. Although it is only 5 1/2 inches long, the details and coloring of this realistic miniature "living fossil" will thrill any adult or child interested in sea life, fish, ancient animals, evolution, and the mysteries of the deep. Our coelacanth is made of plastic that is only marginally flexible; this fish does not change position, and only the fins can be bent a little bit at the ends. However, it is designed in a beautiful swimming pose to make it as realistic and true to life as possible. This replica has detailed fins, scales, head, face, and teeth. It is is painted a blue-gray with white spots like a real coelacanth from the ocean depths. Our coelacanth is a terrific specimen for study, school projects and dioramas, teaching, collecting, museum displays, and biology classification projects, and yet it is so durable it can also be used as an educational toy for older children (not recommended for 3 years and under). Although it's much too big to swallow, the plastic fins can be a little sharp. Like our other plastic and painted fish, this should NOT be put in your aquarium along with other fish. I am not 100% sure it would cause harm, but it's best to be careful and only add those items to your aquarium that are made to be used with live fish. Check out our other plastic fish toys and gifts. What better way to encourage those you love to appreciate the wonders of nature, the sea and the earth?
About Coelacanths
Coelacanths are one of the most fascinating fish in the ocean and possibly the most famous of the "Lazarus taxon," or animals that were previously thought to be extinct. As a child I remember being fascinated by the leglike lobed fins and strange wide tails of these fish that are related to lungfishes and tetrapods. I was also fascinated that they were so primitive as to be called "living fossils." Many of us are attracted to those species that have changed little in millions of years, and the coelacanth is one of them. In 1938, the first coelacanth was found off the east coast of South Africa. Until that time, they were thought to have been extinct for the past 80 million years. Imagine the excitement of finding that this "extinct" fish still thrived! Its discovery and pursuit of more specimens was quite an adventure, and several books have been written about it. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, A Fish Caught in Time by Samantha Weinberg. Two living species have been identified within the genus Latimeria. They have been found near Indonesia as well as off the coast of Africa. Coelacanths may live as long as 80 to 100 years, and although they are found as deep as 2,300 feet in the ocean, they more often live at a depth of about 300 to 650 feet. These fish may spend the daylight hours in caves, as they have a need for dim light and cold water. They give birth to live young and may take as long as 20 years to mature. Sadly, one species of coelacanth is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Come one over and see our new coelacanth!
1 comment:
These fish are so fascinating! I too enjoyed that book quite a bit. This is a really cool replica!
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