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Phareodus testis | Green River Formation | Wyoming

Phareodus testis | Green River Formation | Wyoming

by In Stone Fossils
$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00
$595.00 - $595.00
$595.00

Phareodus testis
Eocene (51.98 Million Years Ago)
Private Quarry, Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
Preparation by Carl Ulrich
Obtained from the collection of Dr. William Rieger

 

Specimen approx. size: 6"

Matrix approx. size: 8.75" x 7.25"

 

This Phareodus testis, smaller than it's Phareodus encaustus counterpart, was a predator in ancient Fossil Lake. Featuring pointy teeth and a long pectoral fin. 


Bony-Tongue Fish - 2 Species Identified: Phareodus encaustus & Phareodus testis

Order Osteoglossiformes, Family Osteoglossidae
Living members of the Osteoglossidae family:
  • include 10 modern species
  • live exclusively in tropical freshwaters
  • found in South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia
  • mouth-brooders (parents hold eggs and hatchlings in their mouths)
Phareodus fossils:
  • adult specimens usually found alone, but juveniles known from mass mortalities
  • indicates that Phareodus schooled as a juvenile and became solitary as an adult
  • often preserved with smaller fish in their jaws and stomach, indicating they were predators
  • rearward oriented fins on back and underside, adaptation for speed
  • large, sharp teeth
  • max known size of P. encaustus: 30 inches
  • max known size of P. testis: 20 inches