‘Dinosaur Fish’ Once Thought Extinct 70 Million Years Ago Spotted in Indonesian Archipelago

Greek Reporter ^ | April 30, 2025 | Nisha Zahid

[nickcarraway]

A rare “dinosaur fish,” once believed to have disappeared 70 million years ago, has been filmed in the wild by divers in the Indonesian archipelago. The Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis) was captured on camera in its natural habitat, marking a breakthrough for marine exploration.

The discovery was made in October 2024 during a deep-sea mission led by Alexis Chappuis of UNSEEN Expeditions. Using special breathing equipment, Chappuis and fellow diver Alexandre Leblond descended to 152 meters along a volcanic slope in the Maluku Islands, where they spotted the elusive creature at a depth of 144 meters.

Long-lost species returned to science in 1938 The coelacanth was first rediscovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938, when a fisherman accidentally caught one in his net.

The fish was known only through fossils and believed to have vanished alongside the dinosaurs. Its unexpected appearance shocked scientists and was considered one of the most important natural history discoveries of the 20th century.

Grecian Delight supports Greece 1997 discovery of the Indonesian species expanded knowledge In 1997, marine biologists Arnaz and Mark Erdmann found a second coelacanth species at a fish market in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Formally described in 1999 as Latimeria menadoensis, the Indonesian species was known mainly through bycatch records and sightings using submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Until now, no diver had ever photographed a living Indonesian coelacanth in the wild.

Rare footage offers insight into deep-sea life During two separate dives, divers observed the same individual coelacanth hovering above a large rock, gently moving with slow fin motions.

Deep diver follows closely behind a living coelacanth at 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia Deep diver follows closely behind a living coelacanth at 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia. Credit: Alexis Chappuis / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Unlike past assumptions that coelacanths rest in caves during the day, the fish was found swimming out in the open, supporting newer studies that suggest more flexible behavior.

Both encounters were brief—five minutes during the first dive and eight during the second—before the divers began their long, careful ascent. At such depths, the journey back to the surface required hours of slow decompression to avoid serious health risks.

Conservation urgency grows for the ‘dinosaur fish’ Today, the Indonesian coelacanth is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, while its African cousin remains “critically endangered.” With their long life spans, slow growth, and late maturity, coelacanths are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

Chappuis and his team have chosen not to reveal the exact dive site to protect the newly found population from threats, including unregulated tourism. They hope their discovery will inspire stronger conservation efforts in Indonesia’s rich but fragile marine ecosystems.

The findings were published in the journal Nature under the title “First record of a living coelacanth from North Maluku, Indonesia.”

[nickcarraway]

I think it was on Netflix.

[telescope115]

No. I think it was in the 1930s when an archaeologist discovered that native people were catching and eating them. Someone had brought him one, and he was shocked to see it.

[Getready]

Supposed to be not tasteful. Greasy.

[itsahoot]

I think it’s just a matter of time before we find living dinosaurs in Africa.

We have some in the Senate Kleon.

[CommerceComet]

With their long life spans, slow growth, and late maturity, coelacanths are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

I would think that being around for 70 million years suggests otherwise.

[dfwgator]

Life finds a way.

[Magnum44]

[mass55th]

Back in 2021, I ordered the book "A Fish Caught in Time : The Search for the Coelacanth" by Samantha Weinberg. It was originally published in 2000. It gives a detailed history of the fish being discovered in 1938 in a South African fish market by the female curator of the local museum, and the research that went on afterward, and the attempts at catching a live coelacanth, and keeping it alive.

They've been filmed off the coast of South Africa:

National Geographic: Finding the Coelacanth | DinoFish

There's an ad before the video.

[mass55th]

I was aware of the discovery in 1938 off the coast of South Africa, and am delighted to find out that they’ve found them off the coast of Indonesia too.

[mass55th]

"Wonder what it would taste like deep fried? With Beer Batter"

Natives in South Africa who cooked and ate it said it had a very bad taste.

From 2012: What is it like to dine on a prehistoric beast?

[mass55th]

"Who documented its existence 70 million years ago? Was it transcribed on a stone?"

Fossils imbedded in stone.

[mass55th]

It was the female curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer of the local museum in South Africa:

In the 1930s, This Natural History Curator Discovered a Living Fossil–Well, Sort of

[itsahoot]

I can’t hink of a single animal that has become extinct in my near 60 years on this rock.

Would it affect your life if a few dozen did go extinct? Maybe if it was Beef and they want to eliminate that to protect what?

[telescope115]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.🙂

[mass55th]

You’re very welcome.

[SunkenCiv]

[Red Badger]

[BlueLancer]

One of the first books that I actually purchased for myself was the SRA book, "Search for a Living Fossil", about the 1938 discovery of the coelacanth off Africa. I still have the paperback book that I purchased back in 1963 ... and it's still interesting to read.