A Fish Finger Prep

[FossilNerd]

I purchased this fishy piece a while back, as it was dirt cheap. It’s not much, more of a “fish finger” or “fish stick” than an actual recognizable fish, but once I got it in hand, I realized there was more buried in the matrix. Since I paid so little for it, I figured that when I had time, I would try my hand at prepping this little guy out to see what more I could reveal. I found some time today while outside watching the kiddos play, so I gave it a shot. 

It’s a fish fragment from Kemmerer, Wyoming. Eocene in age.

 

What was initially revealed is only about 2cm long. This is what the piece look liked when I purchased it.  

Closer inspection showed more peaking out from the edge.

 

I used my engraver on the lowest setting to slowly and carefully chip away the matrix. What fishy secrets will be revealed?

 

 

This matrix is super soft compared to the local limestone that I’ve gotten used to digging around in. I have a new respect for the fish preppers out there! ( @Ptychodus04 and @RJB ) The tiniest slip would send a chunk of delicate bone flying, and with the soft, thin, almost chalk like matrix, a tiny slip was very easily done. The matrix was only a millimeter or two thick above the fossil so slow, careful, and deliberate movements were a must. 

A few more minutes revealed what seems to be the makings of a tail. 
 

 

This is as far as I was able to get until the kids wanted lunch. They think they need to eat a few times a day or something. Geez! 

The whole revealed piece is around 4.5cm long. It looks to be a tail, but that is as about as far as my knowledge goes regarding fish fossils... It still needs some cleanup with the pin vise and a consolidant added, but I think most of it is uncovered. 

Sorry for the slight red tint on this pic. I opened the umbrella for shade and didn’t realize it cast a red light on everything until after getting back inside and looking at the pictures. 

 

It was a fun little prep and I enjoyed trying my hand on a different type of fossil in a different matrix than what I am used to. A nice change of pace.  
 

Now where did I put the tarter sauce?! No wait... I need custard! Fish fingers and custard!  

[grandpa]

7 minutes ago, FossilNerd said:

Now where did I put the tarter sauce?! No wait... I need custard! Fish fingers and custard

Have you considered Louisiana Hot Cocktail Sauce?

[Ptychodus04]

Well done on your fish prep. That’s the rear end of a Diplomystus. Fish are fun but tough.

[Randyw]

You gotta love fish! I had one recently that the matrix was so soft I used a cheap electric toothbrush to prep! so can we expect to see more fish preps from you in the future? Are you hooked on fish?

[FossilNerd]

9 hours ago, grandpa said:

Have you considered Louisiana Hot Cocktail Sauce?

No, but I bet it’s good. I love spicy stuff!  

 

My fish fingers and custard statement was a reference to Dr. Who. Cause I’m a nerd.  

 

6 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said:

Well done on your fish prep. That’s the rear end of a Diplomystus. Fish are fun but tough.

Thanks Kris for the compliment, and thanks for the ID! Fun, but tough sums it up well. 

[daves64]

4 minutes ago, FossilNerd said:

My fish fingers and custard statement was a reference to Dr. Who. Cause I’m a nerd.  

11th Dr, Eleventh Hour episode.. 

[FossilNerd]

3 hours ago, Randyw said:

You gotta love fish! I had one recently that the matrix was so soft I used a cheap electric toothbrush to prep! so can we expect to see more fish preps from you in the future? Are you hooked on fish?

An electric toothbrush would have probably done this one too. I was really surprised at how soft the matrix was! 
 

I wouldn’t mind prepping another one. It was certainly fun! I don’t know that I will be a fish fanatic, but if I find one cheap enough, I’ll grab it. 

[Fossildude19]

Great job, Wayne!

You did quite well. 

 

I fixed the red tint for you.  

 

 

[FossilNerd]

1 minute ago, Fossildude19 said:

Great job, Wayne!

You did quite well. 

 

I fixed the red tint for you.  

Thanks Tim! I tried playing with the tint from my phone, but it wasn’t working very well. My laptop is down at the moment so it was all I could manage.

 

Thanks for the assist!  

[Fossildude19]

16 minutes ago, FossilNerd said:

Thanks Tim! I tried playing with the tint from my phone, but it wasn’t working very well. My laptop is down at the moment so it was all I could manage.

 

Thanks for the assist!  

Happy to help.  

[RJB]

  Hi Fossil Nerd.   Glad you had fun.  Once youve done a few you  will get to the point where even a tiny piece can be a givaway.  In your first picture the tell is what I have circled hear. This tail end is a bit disarticulated but this area is an easy tell.   and I also agree with Kris that this is a Diplo.

 

RB

[FossilNerd]

6 hours ago, RJB said:

  Hi Fossil Nerd.   Glad you had fun.  Once youve done a few you  will get to the point where even a tiny piece can be a givaway.  In your first picture the tell is what I have circled hear. This tail end is a bit disarticulated but this area is an easy tell.   and I also agree with Kris that this is a Diplo.

 

RB

Thanks Ron! I know very little about fossil fish so it was a big mystery to me on what I had. Once you pointed out the spot to look for, it seems obvious that it is the start of a tail.

Thanks for the confirmation in ID as well.