Fish 'live fossils'

In 1938, a hand fin fish was found in African waters. Earlier, scientists believed that the fish had become extinct 65 million years ago with a prehistoric strain of prehistoric fish.

After finding this betta, some of the same species were also found in some parts of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. But these fish groups are related to each other is still a mystery.

Animal behavioral researcher Hans Fricke and colleagues conducted a 21-year study to investigate the population of finfish found near Comoros, a group of islands located between the Seychelles and Madagascar.

This fish lives at a depth of 160-200m so it is impossible to dive to cross them. Therefore, the team used submersibles to take photos, film and study their activities. Thanks to the characteristic white spots on the body, the team easily discovered many individuals during more than 100 diving trips.

This unique fin set can be found in fossil samples.

Currently, scientists do not know how this species reproduces only knowing that the mortality rate of this species is only about 4.4% per year. The usual methods for determining fish age, such as measuring the number of growth rings on fish scales, cannot be applied to finfish because their fins do not change over time like other fish species.

Animal behavioral researcher Hans Fricke said low mortality and replacement rates are evidence that this is a perennial species. Researchers estimate their lifespan of 103 years.

This is a species of fish in the 'red book', a ban on the trade of handfin that has been issued worldwide under the ' International Trade Agreement on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna ' .

It is known that hand fin is the only living fish that develops perfectly in the skull - the ear separation, separate brain from the nose eye parts.