Ancient brush-fish

Kistepery fish are one of the oldest species of fish known to mankind. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, they were thought to have died out about 70 million years ago. Their petrified remains were found in many of the freshwater and marine waters of the planet. A thorough examination of the fossils allowed scientists to assume that these fish were classified as fairly serious predators. Numerous conical teeth, powerful musculature and a fairly decent body length (from 7 cm to 5 m) made this animal a serious contender in any aquatic environment.

The name of the cystepiper fish was obtained from the unusual structure of the skeleton of the fleshy fins. It consisted of several branched branched segments. Such a structure of the fins not only allowed the fish to spend quite a lot of time on the bottom of the reservoir, but also successfully moved along the bottom with the help of fins. The main result of these movements was a rather powerful musculature.

Having weighed all the data obtained, modern scientists came to the conclusion that the general characteristics of fish make it possible to draw a parallel between the fleecy fishes and the first amphibians. This conclusion suggests itself on the basis of some curious signs that are available in both classes. One of the confirmations of this theory was named Tiktaalik. The creature that belongs to the brine shrimp, endowed with the appearance of a crocodile, had the greatest number of features that unite it with amphibians. He had a double breath: the gill and lung, and the fins were almost like the limbs of an animal.

On the basis of all of the above, science came to the conclusion that the orderly cysteper fish took a direct part in the evolution of amphibians, gave life on earth to other beings, and completely died out.

However, this claim was considered correct only until 1938, when a huge fuss among scientists produced an unusual fish caught in South Africa. Looking at the next catch in the usual fishing trawler, Mrs. Latimer came across a strange blue fish about 150 cm long and weighing about 57 kg. With her discovery, the woman went to the museum, however, she could not determine the species identity of the specimen. Having no way to keep the fish alive, Latimer with the help of a taxidermist made a stuffed animal of this creature. What was the surprise of the famous Professor Smith, when in this exhibit he saw all the characteristics of the representative of the detachment kisteperyh. After a careful examination and analysis of the find, this fish was named after a woman who opened it to the light. Now Latimeria chalumnae is the only live cystpira fish on the planet.

The hype raised around the unusual find made many people rush to find these strange inhabitants of the reservoirs. However, the caught coelacanth quickly dies, devoid of natural habitat conditions. That is why the free catch of the "risen" fish was banned and its main populations were taken under strict protection of the state.

Kistepery fish coelacanth, like their ancient ancestors, are convinced predators. Like millions of years ago, they terrify their victims with a lot of sharp teeth and strong strong fins, reminiscent of the paws of animals. Under the cover of the night, coelacanths lurk in their shelters their prey: squid and smaller fish. However, they themselves can easily become a lunch for predators larger, which are sharks.

The largest specimens of this species reach a length of about 2 m and weigh almost 100 kg. The body length of the newborn baby coelacanth is about 33 cm. Scientists believe that babies grow quite slowly, but due to their propensity for a long life, they eventually grow into fairly large specimens.