What are 'ancient' and 'prehistoric' fish that are still alive today?

[Pyluper]

As the title said, all I know are arowana, arapaima, aba aba knife fish, electric eels, tarpons, all true gars, lungfish, clown knife fish and that's all I know. If there are more ancient or prehistoric monster fish, please let me know.

 

[tlindsey]

As the title said, all I know are arowana, arapaima, aba aba knife fish, electric eels, tarpons, all true gars, lungfish, clown knife fish and that's all I know. If there are more ancient or prehistoric monster fish, please let me know.

The Coelacanth.

 

[Pyluper]

The Coelacanth.

Can't believe I forgot sturgeons and paddlefish.

 

[Pyluper]

The Coelacanth.

Oops, I forgot to mention only freshwater. But now that you mentioned coelacanth, I do wonder if anyone has ever attempted to keep them?

 

[tlindsey]

Don't forget about the Bowfin.

 

[Pyluper]

Don't forget about the Bowfin.

I wished I had one, they look fascinating. They're pretty rare here.

 

[duanes]

Although not as ancients as Coelocanths or even Bichirs, i t is thought that some of the more ancient cichlids are the Etroplines of India, and Paretroplines of Madagascar.
Both have the most ancient swim bladder that acts as a hearing organ, attached to the skull, different than all other cichlids,
and the Etroplines seem to have a high tolerance for salinity, which suggests a transoceanic distribution.

Etroplus suratensus above, Paretroplus maculats and menerabmo below

Paretroplus maculatus spawning below

 

[Pyluper]

Although not as ancients as Coelocanths or even Bichirs, i t is thought that some of the more ancient cichlids are the Etroplines of India, and Paretroplines of Madagascar.
Both have the most ancient swim bladder that acts as a hearing organ, attached to the skull, different than all other cichlids,
and the Etroplines seem to have a high tolerance for salinity, which suggests a transoceanic distribution.
View attachment 1570383
Etroplus suratensus above, Paretroplus maculats and menerabmo below
View attachment 1570385View attachment 1570384
Paretroplus maculatus spawning below
View attachment 1570386

I've always wanted to get a menarambo. I have a nearby fish shop that sells them at 3.5 inches, 8 US Dollars each.