Amazing Solnhofen Fossil Fish Thrissops

Description: This is a fine example of a swift-swimming predatory fish from the lithographic limestone deposits of Eichstatt, Germany, known as Thrissops formosus. These 150 million year old deposits are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved organisms, the most famous of which are the handful of specimens of the ancient bird Archaeopteryx. That exceptional preservation is displayed here as well, down to the wonderfully-preserved caudal fin. This one was a predator in every sense of the word. It is a member of the Ichtyodectidae which includes my favorite fish: Xiphactinus from the Cretaceous of Kansas. There is a 4.0 meter long specimen on display at the Sternberg Museum in Hays, Kansas with a 1.8 m Gillicus preserved in its stomach, proof positive that these were highly efficient pursuit predators. The repaired crack does not involve the specimen itself, and the matrix has been reinforced as well for additional protection.

Also see: Solnhofen Lagerstatte Solnhofen Fossils