XL 4" Diplomystus Dentatus Fossil Fish Green River FM WY Eocene Age COA, Stand

Location: Kemmerer, Wyoming

Weight: 1 Pound 1.6 Ounces

Dimensions: 5.7 Inches Long, 4.5 Inches Wide, 0.6 Inches Thick (Plate)

Fish Dimensions: 4 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches Wide

Comes with a Free Stand.

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

56 million years old, Eocene age.

The structure of Diplomystus dentatus, especially its upturned mouth, reveals a feeding strategy adapted for life near the water’s surface. This morphology suggests that the fish targeted prey swimming in the uppermost layers of the lake. Closely related to herrings, Diplomystus is believed to have fed on small fish, a conclusion reinforced by fossil specimens that preserve partially digested Knightia within their stomach regions.

Fossil Lake, which existed approximately 50 million years ago, occupied a large basin in present-day southwestern Wyoming. At its peak, the lake covered nearly 930 square miles, supporting a diverse freshwater ecosystem. Although much of the original lake bed has eroded, around 500 square miles of sedimentary deposits remain today. Of these, about 230 square miles of central lake-bed limestone are particularly well known for their fine lamination and extraordinary fossil preservation.

The lake’s unusual chemical conditions played a crucial role in creating this exceptional fossil record. Low oxygen levels and specific water chemistry slowed the decay of organic material and reduced scavenging. As a result, delicate organisms were preserved in fine detail. Fossil Lake now contains one of the world’s most comprehensive records of Paleogene freshwater life, including fish, plants, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and early mammals.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried underground for millions of years under immense pressure is a tough process. Rarely does a fossil emerge intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and some are modified by humans to improve their appearance. These features are part of the fossil's natural charm and should not be seen as flaws.