Gifted Fossils from South America

[Mesonoxian]

Good Day! These fossils were a gift from a friend in the early 1980's.

He was a world traveler and brought them to my family from South America.

He has since passed so I can't ask him specifics.

Clearly they are fish fossils, but that is all I can derive as a layperson.

Are there other things that a more skilled person in the field could relay about them?

Thank you for the information.

The sizes are on the photos:

The larger piece is 14.5 x 4.25 x 4 inches

The smaller piece is 5.25 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches

They are very heavy.

Edited April 13, 2019 by Mesonoxian
added more information

[gigantoraptor]

Both seem to be from the Santana formation in Brazil. They are indeed fish fossils. Can't make out the first one but Rhacolepis bucallis or Tharrias araripis are good candidates, not sure though, difficult to say. Second seems to be Vinctifer comptoni. Brazil has banned the trade of these so they are getting more difficult to find.  Niece pieces, congrats.

[Mesonoxian]

WOW! You're amazing. Thank you so much. I appreciate your time and expertise.

[Fossildude19]

I agree with Gigantoraptor, with the caveat that the first fish could be either Tharrias or Brannerion.

The head doesn't appear to be the correct shape for Rhacolepis.

[Mesonoxian]

Thank you, Fossildude!