Brazilian Fish Id

[-Andy-]

Hi all, I recently acquired this Brazilian fossil fish from a good friend of mine.

It's about 4.5 inches long.I am guessing it's either Rhacolepis buccalis or Vinctifer, but I truly have no idea how to ID it.

Help would be appreciated, thank you.

[Fossildude19]

Hello Andy,

Unfortunately, I don't believe that there is enough detail left in this fossil to make a positive ID. (So little detail in fact, that it almost doesn't even look like a fossil. )

Vinctifer is usually a larger fish with long rectangular scales, and usually shows the triangular anal and dorsal fins.

The Rhacolepis are smaller, and have regular diamond shaped scales.

If I had to guess, I would lean towards Rhacolepis, but I fear you may just have to label it: Indeterminate fossil fish,Santana fm. Brazil.

Regards,

Edited October 10, 2012 by Fossildude19

[Kosmoceras]

Looks fishy to me. The matrix is two different colours, if it is real it would be made up of two different fish (tail and a head) stuck together. But as Tim said there is little detail, and it looks a bit fake to me. Sorry.

[CH4ShotCaller]

Doesn't resemble a fish fossil, exception being the suggestive appearance. Looks more like agate. Thanks for posting, that's the best 'natural made' fish I've seen in many years.

[Fossildude19]

It is possible that this is real fossil.

The preservation on these is a bit spotty sometimes, and the concretion may have broken badly, leaving less detail than usual.

If it was prepped from the other side, you might be able to see if it's real, and if it is, what type of fish.

That said, the head end of the fish looks a bit too symetrical, though.

Don't know why someone would fake one of these, but I suppose that is possible as well.

With just pictures, though, it is really hard to say positively one way or another.

Maybe Thomas (oilshale) or Paleozoicfish can weigh in on this one.

I'd like to hear more from someone more experienced with this type of fish concretion.

Regards,

EDIT: Andy, - Can we get some pictures of the back and sides of this?

Edited October 10, 2012 by Fossildude19

[-Andy-]

Thank you for the analysis.

Here are more pictures.

[Fossildude19]

Thanks for the additional pics, Andy.

Does not look like a pieced together fish. The concretion looks complete.

The anterior/ front portion of the head may have been made to look "better" with some type of restoration. I just can't tell from the pics, other than it looks a bit dodgy.

Other than that - I'm out of my depth.

Maybe one of the fish experts will show up to offer some thoughts.

Regards,