8.4" Jurassic Fossil Moon Fish (Gyrodus) - Solnhofen Limestone

Jurassic Fossil Moon Fish (Gyrodus) - Solnhofen Limestone #165827

This is a 8.4" long fossil "moon fish" (Gyrodus sp.) from the Upper Jurassic age Solnhofen limestone in Germany. Gyrodus is an extinct genus of pycnodontiform that are known to have lived from the Late Triassic to the Mid Cretaceous. They had a laterally compressed body, a round shape and had rounded teeth which specialized in crushing their prey.

About 15% of the fish has been restored. This restoration is primarily along repaired cracks and on the tips of the fins. The last image in the photo set shows the restored areas.

Upon request we can install a backing and french cleat style wall hanger at no additional charge. Otherwise this specimen will be accompanied by a metal display stand.

The Solnhofen limestone is a famous Upper Jurassic lagerstätte in Germany. It is where one of the most famous fossils of all time, Archaeopteryx, was found. The fine-grained limestone makes excellent building material, which has led to heavy quarrying over the past two centuries. In the process, some spectacular fossils were unearthed, including fossil dragonflies, fish, pterosaurs, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, and many more.

This area represents an ancient archipelago at the edge of a sea. Due to high salt content, the lowest levels in the water column could not support much life and were largely devoid of oxygen. This lack of oxygen and scavengers on the bottom of the sea led to beautiful fossil preservation.

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