Identifying

[Winter Hobby]

I'm told the middle fish is a Knightia.  Any ideas about what the other 2 are?  

 

Also, When I'm done preparing this, how can I darken the fossils and seal it up?  It's in oil-shale.

 

Thanks!

 

[Top Trilo]

The bottom one looks like a young diplomystus to me. The anal fin and dorsal fin match also the tell tale mouth. Not sure about the top though the angle isn't too good but knightia is a possibility

[Fossildude19]

I agree - Two Knightia eocaena, and one Diplomystus dentatus.

[Winter Hobby]

I see some beautiful fossils on this forum that look very rich and dark.  They are in oil-shale but don't look like the ones I'm cleaning.  Is there something I should be using to get that deep brown shade on the carbon?

[Huntonia]

The color depends on formation/layer, preservation and prep. Many of the beautiful fish you see on this forum come from the 18 inch layer which is known for producing some of the best fish. Lots of those fish are also meticulously prepped with air tools. 

 

I don't know what layer your fish are from, but my best advice is to do some research on the various layers and their preservation, and take your time prepping. If you apply paraloid B-72 (dissolved in acetone at a 1 to 50 ratio) to the fish as you uncover it, you can prevent scales from flaking off during prep.

[Winter Hobby]

That's soild information and lots for me to research. 

 

Thanks. 

[snolly50]

11 hours ago, Winter Hobby said:

I see some beautiful fossils on this forum that look very rich and dark.  They are in oil-shale but don't look like the ones I'm cleaning.  Is there something I should be using to get that deep brown shade on the carbon?

The fish you are working on are preserved in a more advanced state of decomposition than the specimens you mention. The solid brown presentation is a result of carbon stain from soft tissue and often preserved scales. Your fossils have lost those elements and are more skeletonized. As suggested, a thin coating of paraloid will somewhat darken (and preserve) what is visible; but will not bring out any "hidden" color. 

 

It's a great prep effort and is resulting in a nice multi-species plate. Good luck, have fun. Warning, it's addictive.