7.5" Priscacara serrata Fossil Fish | Green River Formation | Natural Specimen

Fish approx. size: 7.5" Priscacara serrata

Plate approx. size: 8.5" x 9"

 Order Perciformes

• Family Moronidae - C. liops, P. serrata, H. hypsacantha, and undescribed Priscacara & Hypsiprisca species

P. serrata is perhaps the most popular and sought after of the Green River Formation fish fossils. The Moronidae are a family of perciform fishes, commonly called the temperate basses. P. serrata is an uncommon find compared to Cockerellites liops, which are often confused without proper examination and preparation. P. serrata are typically larger than C. liops. The best preserved fossils are extracted from the famous "18-inch Layer" on either very sunny days or at night under halogen lights. The reason for this is because a fine layer of limestone shale covers the fossils, and we need to see protruding backbones cast a shadow in order to find the fossils.