Detailed Carboniferous Acanthodian Fossil Fish

Carycinacanthus lopatinius = Homalacanthus lopatinius

Class Acanthodii, Order Acanthodiformes, Family Cheiracanthidae

Geological Time: Lower Carboniferous, Tournassian Stage (~350 million years ago)

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fish fossil is 55 mm (along backbone) on a 90 mm by 90 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia

Fossil Code: GF121

Price: Sold


Description: The Acanthodians are jaw-bearing fish who still are the subject of dispute over their systematic position. They possess highly-advanced, spindle-shaped bodies thought to have made them swift swimmers. The body was covered in small mosaic-like scales which are readily visible in this specimen. They possessed small teeth which were typically confined to the lower jaw; some were toothless. The feature they all share in common is the fact that all fins other than the caudal are supported by massive spines formed of dentine. Indeed, the name Acanthodii is derived from the Greek word for spine. The oldest acanthodian lived during the late Ordovician. They reached their peak during the Devonian, and became extinct during the Great Dying of the end-Permian extinction. This well-preserved example is known as Carycinacanthus, although some prefer to use the patronymic genus Acanthodes. As is typical, the most prominent feature to be seen here are the diagnostic spines.

Fish Fossil Purchase

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