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7.6" Fossil Fish (Priscacara Serrata) - Top Quality Specimen
This is a remarkably well preserved 7.6" Priscacara serrata from the Eocene-aged Green River Formation. It was collected from the coveted “bottom cap” of the 18-inch layer at the Clear Creek Quarry near Kemmerer, Wyoming. This horizon is renowned for producing the finest preservation in the quarry, though its dense stone makes extraction and preparation two to three times more labor-intensive.
The fish is beautifully centered on a thick, rectangular-cut slab of natural shale, showcasing its sharp fin rays, serrated dorsal spines, and exceptional detail. A top-tier example of the species, this specimen represents the very best the 18-inch layer has to offer.
The fish is beautifully centered on a thick, rectangular-cut slab of natural shale, showcasing its sharp fin rays, serrated dorsal spines, and exceptional detail. A top-tier example of the species, this specimen represents the very best the 18-inch layer has to offer.
About Priscacara
Priscacara is an extinct genus of temperate bass that lived during the Eocene. It is an uncommon species in the Green River Formation, representing less than 1 percent of total fish fossils. It is a favorite among fossil collectors, particularly those specimens with all of their dorsal spines pointing upwards. It can occasionally reach impressive sizes in excess of 16 inches in length. Priscacara has a large mouth and impressive array of teeth can often be seen in detail on larger, well-preserved specimens.
Priscacara is more frequently found in shoreline lake deposits and less frequently found in rocks deposited in the center of the lake. Its appearance is very similar to that of Cockerellites, a genus of smaller schooling fish found in large numbers in the mid-lake quarries. Cockerellites maxed out in the 5 to 6-inch range, so specimens larger than that can be easily classified as Priscacara. Cockerellites have more dorsal and anal fin rays than Priscacara and a significantly smaller mouth.
Priscacara is an extinct genus of temperate bass that lived during the Eocene. It is an uncommon species in the Green River Formation, representing less than 1 percent of total fish fossils. It is a favorite among fossil collectors, particularly those specimens with all of their dorsal spines pointing upwards. It can occasionally reach impressive sizes in excess of 16 inches in length. Priscacara has a large mouth and impressive array of teeth can often be seen in detail on larger, well-preserved specimens.
Priscacara is more frequently found in shoreline lake deposits and less frequently found in rocks deposited in the center of the lake. Its appearance is very similar to that of Cockerellites, a genus of smaller schooling fish found in large numbers in the mid-lake quarries. Cockerellites maxed out in the 5 to 6-inch range, so specimens larger than that can be easily classified as Priscacara. Cockerellites have more dorsal and anal fin rays than Priscacara and a significantly smaller mouth.
About The 18 Inch Layer Of Fossil Lake
Specimens of this quality come from the coveted 18-inch layer of the Green River Formation, a horizon renowned for producing exceptionally dark, detailed, and well-preserved fossil fish. The limestone from this layer is significantly harder and more durable than that found in many other parts of the formation, likely a result of the deep-water conditions under which it was originally deposited.
These conditions helped preserve fish in remarkable completeness, allowing exceptional specimens to be recovered largely intact. Locating them is a specialized process. The layer is often worked at night using low-angle lighting, which reveals the subtle raised contours created by a fossil fish—particularly the backbone—hidden beneath the surface of the limestone.
A view of the 18 inch layer of the Green River Formation at the Lindgren quarry near Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Once identified, the surrounding rock is carefully cut away and the specimen is transported to a preparation laboratory. Because the fossil may lie as much as an inch beneath the surface, exposing it requires painstaking work under magnification. Skilled preparators use fine hand tools to gradually remove the overlying limestone, revealing the fossil in extraordinary detail while preserving the delicate bones beneath.
Specimens of this quality come from the coveted 18-inch layer of the Green River Formation, a horizon renowned for producing exceptionally dark, detailed, and well-preserved fossil fish. The limestone from this layer is significantly harder and more durable than that found in many other parts of the formation, likely a result of the deep-water conditions under which it was originally deposited.
These conditions helped preserve fish in remarkable completeness, allowing exceptional specimens to be recovered largely intact. Locating them is a specialized process. The layer is often worked at night using low-angle lighting, which reveals the subtle raised contours created by a fossil fish—particularly the backbone—hidden beneath the surface of the limestone.
A view of the 18 inch layer of the Green River Formation at the Lindgren quarry near Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Once identified, the surrounding rock is carefully cut away and the specimen is transported to a preparation laboratory. Because the fossil may lie as much as an inch beneath the surface, exposing it requires painstaking work under magnification. Skilled preparators use fine hand tools to gradually remove the overlying limestone, revealing the fossil in extraordinary detail while preserving the delicate bones beneath.
SPECIES
Priscacara serrata
LOCATION
Clear Creek Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation - 18 Inch Layer (Bottom Cap)
SIZE
7.6" long on 11.3 x 8.2 x 1.8" rock, 14 1/2 lbs
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#370870
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