How the Coelacanth Works

The coelacanth: A living fossil of a fish - Erin Eastwood

Exceptional new fish fossil sparks rethink of how Earth’s geology drives evolution

The coelacanth was believed to have vanished with the dinosaurs. Yet in 2025, marine biologists in Indonesia documented the ancient fish alive in the Maluku Archipelago, capturing the first-ever photograph of a coelacanth in its natural habitat. Until now, sightings were limited to accidental catches or submersible footage. This image confirms the species is still quietly surviving in deep ocean waters. Thought to have gone extinct around 70 million years ago, the coelacanth is often called a “l