The coelacanth is found in the India Ocean west of Madagascar. This species also has been re-discovered in the Indian Ocean near the Sumatra area. It appears that this fish is found only in very deep water, with most records between 300 and 1,200 feet in depth. This large fish, based on earlier records, can grow to over 160 pounds in weight and over 4 feet in length. An unusual feature of this fish is that arm like structure at the base of the pectoral fins. Biologists speculate that relatives of this species might have led the transformation to land based chordates.

The coelacanth order (Coelacanthiformes) contains a single known living species of deep water fish. Although some taxonomists place this primmitve fish from the Devonian period at the beginning of the bony fish class, it appears to be part of a group of fish that led to land living animals. Consequently, we have placed this order as an advanced group of bony fish.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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