Very Rare Tropical Fossil Fish Argyropelecus from Poland

Argyropelecus cosmovicii

Class Actinopterygii, Order Stomiiformes, Family Sternoptychidae

Geological Time: Middle Oligocene

Size: Fossil fish length 33 mm

Fossil Site: Rowe, Carpathian Mountains. Poland


Argyropelecus Fossil FishDescription: The gunus Argyropelecus is also known by the common name of Hatchetfish; obviously derived from their unusual body shape. They are mostly deep-bodied, compressed fishes which have a sharp "blade" along the lower margin of the body and a "handle" Argyropelecusformed by the posterior half of the body. One of the distinguishing characters of the genus Argyropelecus is the presence of a bony blade in front of the dorsal fin. Hatchetfishes are deepsea fishes which have upward-directed eyes and light-producing photophores.

This specimen is in superb condition. Note the photo of the collecting locality in Poland.

click fossil pictures to enlarge


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