22" Monster Fish (Phareodus) Fossil - Wyoming

This is a monster 22" long Phareodus from our Fossil Safari Quarry on the Green River Formation of Wyoming. This specimen is extremely large, possibly the largest we have found in the last two seasons operating the quarry. It is located on 28 x 18.8" slab of limestone that has been backed for stability. We can install wall mounting hardware upon request at no cost. Restoration is pretty minimal, mostly just the tips of the finds that had partially decayed prior to preservation.

About Phareodus

Phareodus is a genus of predatory freshwater fish found in the famous Fossil Lake deposits of the Green River Formation in Wyoming. It had a mouthful of sharp pointy teeth, making it a voracious lake predator. In fact, the name Phareodus actually means "to have teeth". Spines from other fish such as Mioplosus and Priscacara have frequently been found preserved in their stomachs.

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.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.


FOR SALE
$3,950
DETAILS
SPECIES
Phareodus
LOCATION
Fossil Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
22" long on 28 x 18.6" rock
CATEGORY
ITEM
#356780
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.