More Scottish fish fossils from Caithness.

[James_R_V]

Last week I went back Caithness area of Scotland in the hope of finding some more Devonian fish fossils. I spent 3 fossil hunting at Achanarras and 1 day hunting at Holborn head quarry. The most productive site I went to was Achanarras quarry. I found fossils of 5 different species of fish.

[James_R_V]

The most common species I found there was Dipterus valenciennesi which primitive lungfish. Most of the the specimens I were incomplete with either the tail or head missing, but I eventually find a complete specimen which Inwas really happy. Unfortunately it has a bit of damage to the head.

[James_R_V]

Another common species I found there Mesacanthus sp. It was filter feeding primitive shark which use to swim in great shoals and was basically like the anchovy of the lake. Again most of the fossils I found were poorly preserved, but John a man I met there was kind enough to give me a very nicely preserved specimen. 

[James_R_V]

The third species I found at Achanarras was a placoderm called Coccosteus. It was one of the main predators of the lake. I found quite a fww heads shields but no complete specimens. This head shield is the best one I found. It has a beautiful blue tint to it, as well as having all the nice ornamentation.

[James_R_V]

The fourth species I found was Cheiracanthus, another primitive shark. This a rare species at Achanarras and only found part of the flank of one. The scales are really nicely preserved.

[Fossildude19]

These are awesome fish fossils!

Do you know if the blue color is due to dephosphatization?

Thanks for posting them.

Great specimens!   

[James_R_V]

[James_R_V]

The most exciting fossil I found at Achanarras was a complete specimen of Pterichthyodes or turtle fish as I like to call it. It was very strange looking placoderm fish with armoured fins and body.

[James_R_V]

[James_R_V]

The second quarry I went to was Holborn head quarry, which is an impressive clifftop quarry located near Scrabster. There plenty of fish fossils to find there, but most of them were fragmented. I did find one near complete Osteolepis panderi, as well as a beautifully preserved skull of one.

[James_R_V]

[James_R_V]

Osteolepis panderi head.

[James_R_V]

10 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

These are awesome fish fossils!

Do you know if the blue color is due to dephosphatization?

Thanks for posting them.

Great specimens!   

Thanks! That is really interesting. I didn't know that.

[Pterygotus]

Really nice finds! 

[Ruger9a]

Looks like you had great weather to go with your great finds...

[James_R_V]

Here a few other fossils I found at Achanarras quarry. The fossil at the bottom is a partial head shield of a Pterichthyodes, and fossil at the top is a Dipterus v. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Beautiful locations and finds. 

[James_R_V]

I am not to sure what this is, but I think this is a small Coccosteus head shield.

[Shamalama]

Great finds! You are lucky to have that fossil lake to explore.  

[Manticocerasman]

great report and great finds