Fossil? Seahorse Or Seahorse Skeleton Frame?

[D1mond69]

Hi Folks, i am looking to find out what i have here. i have trawled the net with no avail. i kow very little fo this piece except i accrued it around 20years ago when an elderly relative passed away and it has RIO stamped on the base. I know its a sea horse but whether it be fossil, exoskeleton etc is what im trying to find out. my end goal will be to sell this along with my fossil, mineral and gem collection.

Im new to this forum (any fossil forum for that matter) and joined as a reference/information source. i will more than likely have more questions coming up so if i can return anything to you all, please let me know and ill do my best.

So, back to the horsey.............................anyone?

[Rockwood]

I believe it's essentially a dried fish.

[snolly50]

I am sure it is not a fossil, but a dried, modern seahorse. It apparently has been mounted as a tourist souvenir. Did your relative travel to South America? It's an interesting object. How large is it?

[Indy]

Appears to be a Modern dried seahorse: Click Here

[D1mond69]

thanks for the rapid response gentlemen. i thought it wuold be a dried "something". is there a technical term for this process of having a dried animal?

Snolly, i dont know about my relatives travel habits, i am only 25 now so i was very young then and never met them. Her husband was in the RAF i am sure. The horse is 4.5inches from top to bottom. from snout tip to eye is just over an inch? is there a market for this type of thing where would i find interest in it? i genuinly dont want to make money from this one, just needs a good home.

[D1mond69]

just looked at your search Indy, i sincerely hope they died of natural casuses

[THobern]

is there a technical term for this process of having a dried animal?

I'd guess 'dessication',

[Auspex]

...is there a market for this type of thing where would i find interest in it? i genuinly dont want to make money from this one, just needs a good home.

It is a decorative curio, and of low value. Maybe a local elementary school would accept it as a donation, as an educational piece?

[sixgill pete]

you can find these in many "souvenir" shops in coastal resort towns; i.e. "the Gay Dolphin" in Myrtle Beach. Usually for around $4.99 US.

Edited February 9, 2013 by sixgill pete

[Indy]

just looked at your search Indy, i sincerely hope they died of natural causes

Seahorses are commercially harvested from the ocean.

[Auspex]

Seahorses are commercially harvested from the ocean.

They are also farmed; some such operations even release a portion of the harvest to the sea.

[Ramo]

Wouldn't they be "ranched"?