Exquisite Messel Perch Fish Fossil

Amphiperca multiformis

Order Perciformes, Family Serranidae

Geological Time: Eocene (~47 Million Years Ago)

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): 113 mm in length by 50 mm tall on a 168mm by 107 mm resin matrix

Fossil Site: Messel Pit, Darmstadt, Germany

Fossil Code: GF012

Price: $750.00


Amphiperca Messel Fish FossilDescription: This is a fine example of a predatory perch from the oil shale Messel Pit deposits of Darmstadt, Germany, known as Amphiperca multiformis. Specimens have been found ranging from less than 10 cm to 22 cm in length. It is similar in appearance to the modern day Australian genera Macquaria and Maccullochcella, but this may only be a consequence of convergence. The Messel deposits are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved organisms, some of which have the remains of their last meal preserved within. Soft tissue preservation is a common event in material from the pit, and that is seen here in preservation of much of the specimen,. Due to this fragility of the oil shale, this specimen, like all from the locality, has been embedded in resin to allow preparation. The fossil is then flipped over and the matrix removed on the opposite side. A final coating of resin serves to preserve the specimen as seen here. This one has had the resin colored to give a more natural appearance, and is equipped with a hanger for use as a wall mount.

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