Tuesday 8 March 2011

Australia's own 'wishing fish' - the Coelacanth


We didn't realise there was a Coelacanth on exhibit at the Australian Museum in Sydney! It looks like a beauty!

It was captured off the Comoros Islands, and purchased by the Trustees of the Australian Museum in 1965. The fish was transported to the Western Australian Museum by the US RV Atlantis, where it starred briefly in the Perth media. 

The fish was then sent by air to the Australian Museum. Once on display it became affectionately known as the 'wishing fish'. Visitors dropped coins through a small crack in the holding case of the tank and made a wish. Unfortunately after a time the coins discoloured the liquid in the tank, and the practice was stopped. The Coelacanth has been on display in several different exhibitions.

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