Rare and Splendid Astephus Catfish Fossil from Lake Gosiute

Description: The fossil fish that come from the Middle Eocene Lake Gosiute are quite special to knowledgeable collectors. All of the classic collecting localities have been closed for years. The shales and fossils are not the typical Green River specimens most of us are familiar with. They have a different type of preservation. The preservation is excellent, quite aesthetic and displayable. These at one time were readily available to collectors. However, since the closure of the collecting sites they are becoming very hard to find. Perhaps the most famous fish from this ancient lake are the deathbed assemblages of Gosiutichthys parvus, commonly known as Farson fish.

This magnificently preserved mature adult catfish is exceptionally rare. This is the first one I have ever seen, no less, obtained. It appears to be preserved in an oil shale matrix. Statistical data show the Astephus made up between 1-5% of the fish population in Lake Gosiute. It is showing in right side view, with all the fins present. The head is in good shape, and even some of the vertebrate are present. The plate was cracked and repaired. The back of the plate has been treated with an epoxy type resin to ensure structural integrity.