Exceptional 18 Inch Notogoneus Fish Fossil

This is an exceptional specimen of Notogoneus osculus one of the rare species of fish from the Green River Formation of Wyoming. This specimen is 18.4 inches in length, centered on a 28x13 inch rectangular slab. The slab has been backed with plywood both to add support and to facilitate easy mounting of the specimen. What's even better is there is no restoration on this piece. Click on some of the photos to see the detailed preservation of this outstanding piece.

Notogoneus was a predator and the down-turned mouth is probably an indicator that it fed on prey at the lakes bottom. It is thought that it's scarcity results from the fact that it is felt it migrated between the lake and the rivers that fed it throughout the year to feed.

The lake itself is known as "Fossil Lake" and it existed 50 million years ago in what is now Wyoming and is believed to have covered approximately 930 square miles. It had an unusual chemistry that inhibited the decay and scavenging of dead organisms while think layers of limestone and organic matter accumulated. This special set of circumstances has lead to the beautiful preservation of fish and other fossils within the Green River Formation.