Jurassic Fish

[Ptychodus04]

Some time ago, @Fossildude19 gave me some bits of Diplurus in diamond hard shale to practice different prep techniques on the tiny little fish.

 

In the same box, Tim sent me a few partial fish of a different species. I got to spend a few minutes working on one of them this afternoon.

 

 

It is difficult to tell which side is up since this fish has some face issues. Many of the bones are displaced but well preserved.

 

The real question is ID. I’m hoping Tim knows but if not, I have some good features to go on. This fish has distinct gar-like scales and small peg-like teeth.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Nice! 

[Fossildude19]

 

@Ptychodus04 

 

Hey Kris,

That came out pretty well. Is there more under the matrix? 

This one is a Redfieldius gracilis from the Early Jurassic,(Hettangian)  Shuttle Meadow Formation, Hartford Basin, Newark Supergroup. Connecticut.

 

This is the orientation:

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

PDF AVAILABLE HERE.

[Ptychodus04]

Thanks @Fossildude19. I suspected that might be the proper orientation based on the jaws but I couldn’t properly ID the scrap of fin as pectoral. Also, thanks for the ID. 

 

There’s nothing left under the matrix. I prepped out a bit past where the bones stopped. It has really cool dermal scutes on the skull.

[Fossildude19]

17 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

Thanks @Fossildude19. I suspected that might be the proper orientation based on the jaws but I couldn’t properly ID the scrap of fin as pectoral. Also, thanks for the ID. 

 

There’s nothing left under the matrix. I prepped out a bit past where the bones stopped. It has really cool dermal scutes on the skull.

Kris,

Unfortunately, complete skulls are a bit more rare than the disarticulated ones. 

Apparently their skulls were fragile, and would blow apart from decompositional gasses before the rest of the body.

[Ptychodus04]

1 hour ago, Fossildude19 said:

Kris,

Unfortunately, complete skulls are a bit more rare than the disarticulated ones. 

Apparently their skulls were fragile, and would blow apart from decompositional gasses before the rest of the body.

Sounds like some Green River fish I’ve met!