Birdi Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Hi. This is my first post. I've spent a lot of time trying to learn what these two objects are and what sort of creatures they came from. They were on a funky necklace I bought at a thrift store. I've looked at sharks teeth, stingray barbs, and sawfish rostrum, but none look like these. I don't know how old they are. They seem very much like ivory. The longest is a bit under 3 inches. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smilodon Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) Hi and welcome, When I was just a fossil pup, I found one of these and was so excited - I thought it might be a jaw or something like that. I was crushed to learn that it was a pectoral fin spine of a recent (not fossil) catfish. Yours look very similar. Keep hunting! Edited November 24, 2009 by Smilodon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Definitely an interesting study piece but I'm not thinking fossil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worthy 55 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Man, that is still very cool looking I would add it to my collection if I were you. It's my bone!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 i have found a number of these before. some have been blackened and looked "old", and some were obviously recent. but none really appeared to be heavily mineralized "fossils". they are bone, not ivory. and i've not heard them described as other than "catfish" spines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smilodon Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 i have found a number of these before. some have been blackened and looked "old", and some were obviously recent. but none really appeared to be heavily mineralized "fossils". they are bone, not ivory. and i've not heard them described as other than "catfish" spines. PECTORAL FIN catfish spines (for someone who is so picky.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdi Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Thanks! I didn't think it an old fossil, but thought maybe a 'living fossil' type critter, and so it seems to be. Do you know if the catfish has two such spines? The ones I have are obviously from one side of the fish... does it have one on the other side? Anyway, thanks for giving me something else to search. I'm glad it isn't a sea mammal or something endangered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seldom Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Welcome from Galveston Island Your barb is the top fin of probably from a gaff top catfish. I find them all the time but no fossilized ones Galveston Island 32 miles long 2 miles wide 134 bars 23 liquor stores any questions? Evolution is Chimp Change. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain! "I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." Ernest Hemingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzyrules244 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Catfish spine I have found them at the Cape Fear river in N.C. and a few have found my hands while fishing lol "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdi Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Catfish spine I have found them at the Cape Fear river in N.C. and a few have found my hands while fishing lol So, you would know! ouch They look fierce, like double steak knives. Lordy, why would anyone want to wear such a thing around his neck? I saw a PBS show about folks wrestling large (some HUGE) catfish from their nest holes along the banks of rivers. How do they do that without being stabbed? I forget the word... catfish wrestling, but another term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharks of SC Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 I believe they call it "noodling" around here. Ive never tried it myself, but I have met people claiming to be accomplished "noodlers". After seeing those things, I think Ill leave it to the experts! Welcome to the forum! CBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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