Osteichthyes are not only the most plentiful class of fishes on the planet, but are also the most plentiful vertebrates of all time, numbering over 23,500 known species. The word “Osteichthyes” means “bony fish,” and refers to how their skeletons are made entirely of bone, as opposed to the chondrichthyes fishes, whose skeletons are cartilaginous. Other characteristics that unite the bony fishes are the pairs of gill arches that are protected by an operculum (a hard bony flap on the sides of the face), and a swim bladder. The bony fishes are comprised of two different sub-classes: the Actinopterygians (“ray-finned fishes”), and the Sarcopterygians (lobe-finned fishes”). Ray-finned fishes are so named because their fins are made up of a web of skin that is structurally supported by bony spines that are called “rays,” whereas the fins of lobe-finned fishes are fleshy stalks that are connected to the body by a single bone. Though the ray-finned fishes are far more diverse and plentiful, it would be the lobe-finned fishes (of which the famous coelacanths are members) that would play a much larger role in defining life on earth. As millions of years passed from the original lobe-finned fishes, one variety would eventually evolve the very limbs that would take fish from out of the water and onto land. These land-based descendants, known as tetrapods, evolved in the Devonian period approximately 395 million years ago. Indeed the genetic relationship between the two groups is so close, that lobe-finned fishes are actually more distantly related to other particular groups of fish than they are tetrapods.
$120.00
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-Matrix Size: 10&1/2"L x 8&1/2"H x 1"thick -Fish Size: 7&1/2"L -Species: Diplomystus dentatus -Notes: A quality fish fossil accompanied by the ghostly remains of a second fish. -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location: Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
$45.00
-Matrix Size: 3&5/16"L x 4&1/8"H x 1"thick -Fish head Size: 1&7/8"L -Species: Anethalion angustus -Notes: A well-preserved head and pectoral fins of a Jurassic fish. This piece comes from the world-famous Solnhofen Formation, which is noted for the discovery of Archaeopteryx specimens. -Age: Jurassic period, 151-146 million years ago -Location:...
$40.00
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-Matrix Size: 4&5/8"W x 4&1/8"H x 5/8" thick -Fish Size: 3&1/8"L -Species: Diplomystus dentatus -Notes: A beautiful fish fossil from the world famous Green River Formation. -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location: Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
$185.00
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-Matrix Size: 5&11/16”L x 3&1/8”W x 2/8” thick -Fish Size: 4&1/2"L -Species: Cockerellites liops -Notes: A commonly sought-after fossilized fish from the collectible and famous 18” layer of the Green River Formation. This species was once classified as part of the Priscacara genus. -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location:...
$150.00
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-Matrix Size: 5&2/8”L x 4&1/2”W x 1/2”thick -Fish Size: 3”L -Species: Ctenothrissa sp. -Notes: A beautiful and exotic fish fossil from the famous limestone quarries of Lebanon. -Age: Cretaceous Period, 101-94 million years ago -Location: Sannine Formation, Haqel, Lebanon
$150.00
-Matrix Size: 5&7/8”L x 4&5/8”W x 5/8”thick -Fish Size: 5”L -Species: Nematonotus longispinus -Notes: A beautiful and exotic fish fossil from the famous limestone quarries of Lebanon. -Age: Cretaceous Period, 101-94 million years ago -Location: Sannine Formation, Haqel, Lebanon
$105.00
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-Matrix Size: 6&1/2"L x 4&3/4"H x 1/2"thick -Fish Size: 2&1/2"L (top left) -Species: Leptolepis sprattiformis -Notes: Two exceptionally well-preserved fish fossils accompanied by crystal dendrites. This piece comes from the world-famous Solnhofen Formation, which is noted for the discovery of Archaeopteryx specimens. -Age: Jurassic period, 151-146 million years ago -Location:...
$200.00
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-Matrix Size: 8&1/4"L x 4&3/4"H x 3/8"thick -Fish Size: 5&1/4"L -Species: Paramblypterus sp. -Notes: A beautiful fish fossil with excellently preserved scales. -Age: Permian period, 299-295 million years ago -Location: Jeckenbach Formation, Odernheim, Germany
$400.00
-Matrix Size: 19&1/2”L x 12&1/4”W x 1” thick (14"H on custom metal stand) -Species: Mioplosus labracoides -Notes: A highly collectible and LARGE fish fossil with a custom-made metal stand. This specimen shows well-preserved scales. A fine museum piece. -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location: Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
$150.00
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-Matrix Size: 5&13/16"L x 5&3/16”W x 3/8"thick -Fish Size: 3”L -Coprolite Size: 1&6/8”L -Species: Knightia sp. -Notes: A beautiful fish fossil accompanied by a variety of crocodile coprolites (fossilized dung) from the world-famous Green River Formation (also known as "Fossil Lake"). -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location: Green River...
$360.00
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-Matrix Size: 14"L x 7&3/4"H x 5/8"thick -Fish Size: 3&3/4"L -Species: Knightia sp. -Notes: A beautiful fish fossil accompanied by a highly prized partial palm frond from the world-famous Green River Formation (also known as "Fossil Lake"). -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years ago -Location: Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
$300.00
-Matrix Size: 13&2/8”L x 8&1/4”W x 3/8” thick -Fish Size: Phareodus (fish head): 5&1/2”L, Mioplosus: 5&2/8”L -Species: Phareodus sp. and Mioplosus labracoides -Notes: Two rare species of fish from a formation that is represented by an abundance of more common species. Acrylic stand not included. -Age: Eocene epoch, 54-49 million years...
$100.00
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-Matrix Size: 10”L x 7”W x 1”thick -Fish Size: 6”L along the curve -Species: Syngnathus acus -Notes: A beautiful pipefish fossil accompanied by the tails from two other pipefish. This species is still in existence today. -Age: Miocene Epoch, 16-6 million years ago -Location: Monterey Formation, California, USA
$700.00
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-Matrix Size: 3&3/4”L x 3&1/4"W”W -Fish Size: 2&1/8"L -Species: Hippocampus ramulosus -Notes: A beautiful and rare fossil of one of the most iconic animals known. This species is still in existence today. Comes displayed in a glass-covered display box (8&1/4"L x 6&1/4"W). Acrylic stand not included. -Age: Pliocene Epoch, 4-2...
$180.00
-Size: 5"L x 2&1/4" tall x 1" thick -Species: Acanthocybium sp. ("Mackerel-like backbone") -Notes: A beautiful jaw section with well-preserved teeth. The wahoo is also known as the "ono" and "peto." -Age: Miocene Epoch, 23-16 million years ago -Location: Hawthorn Group, South Carolina, USA