Permian Paramblypterus Fish Fossil from Germany

Description: This is a very well preserved example of a Paleoniscoid fish known as Paramblypterus. The paleoniscoids were the first ray-finned fish, a feature readily seen here. Some 40 or more families appeared during the Carboniferous and Permian Periods. The Jeckenbach Formation is famous for the abundant fish of the genus Paramblypterus found there. This one is well preserved, exhibiting excellent preservation of the head, fins and scales. It appears to have been encased in a lacquer coating to preserve it. On the back side is a strengthening layer of resin matrix for strength. All commercial fossil fish quarrying ended in the 1980s. This species as well as all of the other species found in the formation are now becoming difficult to acquire, particularly specimens preserved of this high quality.