Species Profile: Fish

Coelacanth facts, pictures and in-depth information.

Coelacanths are sometimes known as ‘living fossils’; animals that have changed little over millions of years. These ancient fish are more closely related to four-limbed vertebrates (including humans) than they are to many fishes.

For many years coelacanths were only known from fossils – it was thought that they had become extinct around 70 million years ago.

Incredibly, a living coelacanth was caught off the coast of South Africa in 1938 – in effect, bringing the coelacanths ‘back from the dead’. Since then, numerous other coelacanths have been caught and today two living species are recognized. One of these – the West Indian coelacanth – is rated ‘Critically Endangered’; it is thought that fewer than 500 survive.

Read on to find out more about these fascinating fish …

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Basking shark facts, pictures and information. The basking shark is the second largest fish alive today. Although sharks have a (well-deserved) reputation as being the ultimate ocean predators, not all sharks are meat eaters. If you ever find yourself face to face with a basking shark, don’t worry; it’s more interested in eating plankton than it is in eating you!

Read on to find out more about this amazing fish …

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Great hammerhead shark facts, pictures and video. On this page you’ll find in-depth information on the endangered hammerhead shark, a large and distinctive ocean predator.

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Humphead wrasse facts, pictures and information for kids and adults. Learn more about this fascinating endangered reef fish …

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Tiger Shark facts for kids (and adults), with pictures, information and video.

Tiger Shark Facts

The Tiger Shark is one of the most feared ocean predators. With explosive speed, powerful jaws, and excellent eyesight, the Tiger Shark’s bad reputation is well-deserved. Some people consider it to be even more dangerous than the Great White Shark! It certainly looks the part, with its menacing tiger-like stripes. Let’s find out more about this underwater hunting machine …

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Greenland shark facts, information, pictures and video. Learn about this mysterious underwater giant with our in-depth guide …

• You can learn more about the Arctic here: Arctic Facts

• See more Arctic and subarctic animals here: Arctic Animals List

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