Ecology of Latimeria chalumnae
 
Main Ref. Uyeno, T. and T. Tsutsumi, 1991
Remarks Observations support the idea that this fish drifts and executes a sudden, deliberate bite within a short distance using its powerful jaws when prey moves within reach. Based on stomach contents, it is deduced that this fish feeds at least in part on the ocean floor. The headstanding, drift feeding orientation may offer supportive evidence for an electroreceptive function of the rostral organ (Ref. 28021).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Latimeria chalumnae may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Hard Bottom;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Uyeno, T. and T. Tsutsumi, 1991
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Uyeno, T. and T. Tsutsumi, 1991
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 4.40 0.72 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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