notogoneus osculus fish fossil. From Kemmerer, Wyoming. Found in the 18" layer.

Description

notogoneus osculus fish fossil. An extinct genus of prehistoric ray-finned fish from Kemmerer, Wyoming. Found in the 18" layer..
Here is an incredibly cool genuine fossil fish Notogoneus osculus, from the world-famous fossil beds of Fossil Lake, Green River Formation, Wyoming. From the Eocene, 52 million years ago.
It was naturally found in this beautiful matrix, where iron-rich sediment millions of years ago formed the superb colors you see on the plate.  In our view, these natural plate colors are about as stunning as you will ever be able to find.  All done by the "paintbrush" of Mother Nature.
The Notogoneus is about 20 inches from tip to tip. The plate is about 21 inches by 14 inches.
Notogoneus is referred to as a beaked sandfish, because it has a beak, not teeth, and the fact that is was primarily a bottom feeder.
This plate is different from many Notogoneus plates.  It has a very rustic quality and "atmosphere" to it that is not common.
All Notogoneus are covered with scales on the top of the head.  For whatever reason, these scales are typically removed during preparation, revealing the black skull bone.  However, on this specimen, it was chosen to leave the scales in.  Keeping the scales in is actually how the Notogoneus really looked.  You can easily see the scales in the close-up photo of the head.  There is not one right or wrong way to prep the fish, it is a matter of preference. If you are looking for rustic, then leaving the scales on is the way to go.
Many Notogoneus have a problem with their vertebrae, not lining up properly. This one does have a slight disarticulation.
A wonderful, rustic, exceptional additional to any collection.