The vast, wild oceans off the coast of Africa conceal more than coral reefs and colourful fish.
Among the cliffs and canyons of the deep sea lies a living legend: the Celacanth — a fish that has existed for over 400 million years and looks like it swam straight out of a fossil.
Few people ever see it, and even fewer understand the mystery behind this extraordinary creature.
Known as a “living fossil,” the Celacanth defies everything we thought we knew about extinction. Once believed to be long gone with the dinosaurs, this deep-sea dweller was rediscovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa — an event that sent shockwaves through the scientific community.
But the Celacanth is more than a biological marvel: it’s untouchable, protected, and yes — absolutely not for eating.
If you’re a diver, tourist, or ocean lover dreaming of your next adventure in African waters, the Celacanth offers a story that’s richer than any dish.
Let’s dive into the mystery of this ancient fish — and find out why it’s one of the rarest creatures you’ll never see on a menu.
What Is a Celacanth? A Glimpse Into Prehistoric Waters
Imagine diving deep beneath the waves and encountering a creature from the age of dinosaurs, still swimming, still alive.
That’s the Celacanth — a fish so ancient that it predates the rise of mammals and even flowering plants.
With lobed fins, thick scales, and a body that looks sculpted from stone, the Celacanth appears more like a mythical being than a living animal.
Scientifically classified under the order Coelacanthiformes, the Celacanth was once thought to have gone extinct about 66 million years ago, until a shocking discovery in 1938 off the South African coast proved otherwise.
This rediscovery sparked global fascination, as marine biologists and paleontologists rushed to learn more about a species that had, quite literally, returned from the dead.
Its anatomy is as unusual as its history. The Celacanth has limb-like fins, a unique hinged skull, and a rostral organ believed to detect electrical fields — traits that have changed little over hundreds of millions of years.
It is not just a fish; it’s a direct link to the deep evolutionary past of vertebrates, including humans.
Where to Find the Celacanth in Africa
The Celacanth resides in very specific environments — deep, dark caves at depths of 150 to 700 meters, mostly in the Indian Ocean. South Africa, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar all have coastal regions known to host this elusive species.
However, sightings are incredibly rare. The Celacanth is nocturnal, slow-moving, and prefers to remain hidden within lava tubes or steep underwater cliffs during daylight hours.
In South Africa, Sodwana Bay within iSimangaliso Wetland Park has become a hotspot for deep-sea researchers and advanced divers hoping to witness this ancient fish in its natural habitat.
It’s important to note, however, that observing a Celacanth in the wild typically requires a submersible or specialized diving gear — it’s not your everyday snorkeling experience.
For travelers and ocean explorers, just knowing that such a creature exists nearby adds a thrill to any coastal adventure. It’s like walking in the land of dinosaurs — but underwater.
The coelacanth is truly a marvel of nature, a living testament to the resilience and mystery of life on Earth. It’s fascinating how this ancient fish has survived for millions of years, virtually unchanged, while so many other species have vanished. The fact that it was rediscovered in 1938 feels like a plot twist in the story of evolution, almost as if nature decided to surprise us with a glimpse into the past. Its unique features, like the limb-like fins and the rostral organ, make it a living bridge to our own evolutionary history. But I can’t help but wonder, what other secrets does the deep ocean hold? Are there more “living fossils” out there, waiting to be discovered? The coelacanth’s story makes me think about how much we still don’t know about the oceans and the creatures that inhabit them. What do you think it would take to uncover more of these ancient mysteries?
Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
📍 Habitat: Deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
🦴 Why it’s a living fossil:
This primitive shark has existed for around 80 million years and has changed very little. Its elongated body, extendable jaws, and 300 needle-like teeth resemble ancient sharks from the dinosaur era.
🔬 Evolutionary Significance: May help us understand the transition from early marine vertebrates to modern predators.
2. Nautilus (Nautilus pompilius and relatives)
📍 Habitat: Deep coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific.
🦑 Why it’s a living fossil:
It is the last surviving member of a group of mollusks that thrived in the Paleozoic Era. Its spiral shell and jet propulsion system are virtually identical to fossils over 500 million years old.
🧠 Fun Fact: Despite having a simple brain, it exhibits complex navigation behaviors.
3. Hagfish (or Slime Eel)
📍 Habitat: Cold, muddy seafloors.
🐍 Why it’s a living fossil:
These jawless vertebrates have existed for more than 300 million years. Their gelatinous appearance and slimy defense mechanism are relics from a time before jawed fish evolved.
🧬 Scientific Value: Helps researchers study the early stages of vertebrate evolution.
4. Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
📍 Habitat: Atlantic coasts, especially in the U.S.
🛡️ Why it’s a living fossil:
Horseshoe crabs have lived on Earth for over 450 million years. Their segmented body and stiff tail link them more closely to extinct trilobites than to modern crabs.
💉 Medical Importance: Their blue blood is vital for testing the safety of vaccines and drugs.
5. Blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus)
📍 Habitat: Deep seafloors off the coast of Australia.
🫧 Why it’s a living fossil:
Adapted to extreme pressure, the blobfish represents a highly specialized evolutionary line that may date back to primitive deep-sea life forms.
🧠 Evolutionary Insight: Could help scientists understand how life colonized the ocean’s most hostile depths.