Cavenderichthys Fish Fossil Mortality from Down Under

Description: Cavenderichthys talbragarensis (formerly Leptolepis talbragarensis) was a freshwater bony fish, hence the name change from Leptolepis, which was a salt-water fish.

The most striking element of this delightfully unusual plate is the colorful banding on the plate. One would think that nature framed it for future display! The plate itself showcases four complete fish and three incomplete ones. Adding to the composition is a beautifully preserved fern and other loose water reed type specimens. The backside of the plate highlights two unidentified plant fronds as well as a couple of partial fish. This fishplate is one of my favorite acquisitions from the latest and perhaps last batch of the George Lee Collection. Only this plate, and other smaller one, will be available. Like most Australian fossils today, export restrictions are in force and fossils like this have become difficult to obtain.

This fossil comes from the George Lee Collection of Southern California. Mr. Lee accumulated a virtual where house of fossils over thirty-five years of self-collecting and purchasing. Most of the fossils were acquired during the 1960s through the mid 1990s. Unfortunately, for we collectors, many of these sites and areas are no longer available for collecting. Therefore, many of my offerings are of special importance, as they are now rarely available to the public. Since Mr. Lee’s death, a few years ago, the collection has slowly been liquidated. This fossil came from one of the last available batches sold.