Reviews
19.3" Exceptional Fossil Gar Fish (Atractosteus) - Wyoming
This is a fascinating combination of fish collected at our Fossil Lake Safari quarry located on the famous Green River Formation in Wyoming. The fishes include a sub-adult gar (Atractosteus simplex), a 4" long Diplomystus dentatus, and a 2" long Knightia eocaena.
Gars are one of the largest and rarest fish found in the Green River Formation. Atractosteus simplex, sometimes called the "simplex gar", was a fierce predator, having a medium-length snout and jaws full of sharply pointed teeth. They also had 12 tail-fin rays and smooth sided scales which are beautifully preserved in this specimen. This gorgeous specimen measures 19.3" in length, with the largest known fossil of the species being about 28" long.
It was found via cross-section and has been inlaid into the rock that already contained the Diplomystus dentatus and Knightia eocaena. The repaired cracks make an X through through the fish starting just posterior to the pelvic fin, running anterior-superior through the head of the gar. Restoration of the scales was required along these repaired cracks.
The rock has been backed with wood for stability and upon request we can include wall hanging hardware. Otherwise it is accompanied by a metal display stand.
Gars are one of the largest and rarest fish found in the Green River Formation. Atractosteus simplex, sometimes called the "simplex gar", was a fierce predator, having a medium-length snout and jaws full of sharply pointed teeth. They also had 12 tail-fin rays and smooth sided scales which are beautifully preserved in this specimen. This gorgeous specimen measures 19.3" in length, with the largest known fossil of the species being about 28" long.
It was found via cross-section and has been inlaid into the rock that already contained the Diplomystus dentatus and Knightia eocaena. The repaired cracks make an X through through the fish starting just posterior to the pelvic fin, running anterior-superior through the head of the gar. Restoration of the scales was required along these repaired cracks.
The rock has been backed with wood for stability and upon request we can include wall hanging hardware. Otherwise it is accompanied by a metal display stand.
About Fossil Lake
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
$13,500
SPECIES
Atractosteus simplex, Diplomystus dentatus & Knightia eocaena
LOCATION
Fossil Lake Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Fish: 19.3" long, Shale: 29.4 x 21.1”, Weight: ~30 lbs
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#327818
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