Strange fish fossil or partially faked?

[nivek1969]

Hello friends-

 

I recently found this oddball fossil at an estate sale, of course the info on it was missing. SO I have no idea what I have. The "scale" skin lines almost look as if someone scratched them on, but I wonder why the heck someone would do that when there are definite fossil elements. I could be wrong. Sorry for the rather bad photos. I will take more detailed shots soon. 
Thanks for any help with this piece. 

 

 

[ynot]

It is a fine fish fossil from brazil.

@Fossildude19 should know the species.

[nivek1969]

8 minutes ago, ynot said:

It is a fine fish fossil from brazil.

@Fossildude19 should know the species.

No back fin though. Odd. 

[gigantoraptor]

It's Rhacolepis buccalis from the Santana formation (Cretaceous) in Brazil. I think it's real.

[Fossildude19]

I agree, this is a Rhacolepis buccalis. 

6 minutes ago, nivek1969 said:

No back fin though. Odd. 

 

There is a back fin. The fish was prepped out ventrally. (Belly up) 

You are looking at the bottom of the fish.

 

[nivek1969]

thanks for the info!