Huge 10" Priscacara - Exceptional Specimen

Huge Priscacara - Exceptional Specimen #7222

This is a gigantic specimen of Priscacara serrata from the Green River Formation at 10 inches in length. It is nicely preserved from the the 18 inch layer and has no restoration or staining. It's centered on a 15 1/2 by 12 inch slab of matrix which has been backed by wood for stability, and is ready for mounting on a wall. It's very rare to see priscis this size and this is an excellent example that makes for an impressive wall display.

Priscacara is an extinct genus of temperate bass that lived during the Eocene. It is an uncommon species in the Green River Formation, representing less than 1 percent of total fish fossils. It is a favorite among fossil collectors, particularly those specimens with all of their dorsal spines pointing upwards. It can occasionally reach impressive sizes in excess of 16 inches in length. Priscacara has a large mouth and impressive array of teeth can often be seen in detail on larger, well-preserved specimens.

Priscacara is more frequently found in shoreline lake deposits and less frequently found in rocks deposited in the center of the lake. Its appearance is very similar to that of Cockerellites, a genus of smaller schooling fish found in large numbers in the mid-lake quarries. Cockerellites maxed out in the 5 to 6-inch range, so specimens larger than that are assumed to be Priscacara. Cockerellites have more dorsal and anal fin rays than Priscacara and a significantly smaller mouth.

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