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Phareodus testis | Zero Restoration | Green River Formation

Phareodus testis | Zero Restoration | Green River Formation

by In Stone Fossils
$450.00 - $450.00
$450.00
$450.00 - $450.00
$450.00
Phareodus testis, unrestored specimen, 100% Natural 
Eocene (51.98 Million Years Ago) 
Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
In Stone Fossils Private Quarry 
Plate size approx: 8.75" x 7"
Phareodus size approx: 8"
This Phareodus testis, smaller than it's Phareodus encaustus counterpart, was a predator in ancient Fossil Lake. Featuring pointy teeth a long pectoral fin. 
This specimen was so well preserved, no restorative practices were necessary and was left exactly the way it was found after a fine layer of matrix was removed by microscopic fossil preparation. 

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