Fish spine find, fossil or not?

[sharko69]

Found this at Post Oak Creek. Definitely fish spine and is hard  as a nail but not sure what it is from. Guessing catfish but hard to tell what is modern and what is fossil sometimes. Any clues?

[Tidgy's Dad]

I think catfish spine and looks recent to me. 

Here is a post from the forum on them.

The last post, by Harry, is particularly interesting.

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

5 hours ago, sharko69 said:

Found this at Post Oak Creek. Definitely fish spine and is hard  as a nail but not sure what it is from. Guessing catfish but hard to tell what is modern and what is fossil sometimes. Any clues?

Definitely a catfish pectoral spine. I have found both Pectoral and dorsal in Pleistocene/Pliocene dredge deposits here in Savannah. Does it give you a nice clink when you whack it (gently) against another fossil or rock ?  Your spine looks river worn which would make me think it is fossilized.  Modern spines are quite shocking white but they can stain in river water fairly quickly. The fresh ones usually feel flimsy and have some 'give' when you give them a bend.  haha .. I know, I'm rough on my fossils.

 

This is my dorsal spine, and it is symmetrical.  Again, mine like your's was a bit worn by the river/ocean.

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

Brett

[sharko69]

39 minutes ago, Brett Breakin' Rocks said:

Definitely a catfish pectoral spine. I have found both Pectoral and dorsal in Pleistocene/Pliocene dredge deposits here in Savannah. Does it give you a nice clink when you whack it (gently) against another fossil or rock ?  Your spine looks river worn which would make me think it is fossilized.  Modern spines are quite shocking white but they can stain in river water fairly quickly. The fresh ones usually feel flimsy and have some 'give' when you give them a bend.  haha .. I know, I'm rough on my fossils.

 

This is my dorsal spine, and it is symmetrical.  Again, mine like your's was a bit worn by the river/ocean.

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

Brett

No, it is bone hard. Nice pics.

[abyssunder]

No doubt, the specimen in question is a pectoral spine of a catfish. Some comparative examples are here (to exclude the dorsal spines). Tannins and minerals might change the color, but what's for sure, is not a recent "fresh" one.