Unprepared Fossil Fish Plate - Around 4-5" Long

This is an unprepared fish plate that contains either a Diplomystus or Knightia, collected from the 18 inch layer of the Green River Formation near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It appears to be around 4-5 inches in length, and is centered on a rectangularly cut 6.8x3.6" slab of shale.

The fishes from the 18 layers of the Green River Formation have a very dark and detailed preservation. They split out entirely under the surface of the rock, typically with only raised relief from the backbone as an indication that there is a fish. This layer is typically collected at night under spotlight, allowing for the shadows from the raised relief to be seen more easily.

While the fish does appear to be complete and articulated, as with all unprepared fossils there are no guarantees. You don't know what will be under the surface. The rock on this particular plate is fairly hard so air scribes are a must to prepare it.

Here is an example of a prepared Diplomystus from the 18 inch layer.

https://www.fossilera.com/fossils/15-25-diplomystus-fish-fossil-wyoming