Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

Knightia alta Fossil Fish in Matrix from Eocene USA – Genuine Prehistoric Fish Skeleton – Certificate Included

Name: Knightia alta Fossil Fish in Matrix from Eocene USA – Genuine Prehistoric Fish Skeleton – Certificate Included
Brand: SilverGeo
SKU: FP9907
Availability: InStock

£30.00

Knightia is an extinct fish that lived in the fresh water lakes and rivers of North America and Asia during the Eocene epoch, 56 to 33.9 million years ago. They belong to the same taxonomic family as herring and sardines, and likely fed on algae and diatoms, as well as insects and the occasional smaller fish. Knightia fish had heavy scales, small conical teeth, and rows of dorsal and ventral scutes that ran from the back of the head to the medial fins. They were schooling fish and are often preserved as fossils still in their shoals, with some specimens even being preserved on top of each other.

These fish are genuine fossils, however, it is usually only the skeletal section of the fish that is left when they are found in the matrix due to the rest decomposing over time. These skeletal remains can be slightly incomplete or not overly recognisable as to the what way the fish is laying etc. so the preparers will paint the piece with a brown stain to give a protective layer, and to help highlight the correct position of the fish, and it is not uncommon for them to paint where the fins etc would have been so to portray what the actual fish would have looked like.

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Name: Knightia alta

Specimen: Fossil Fish in Matrix

Age: Eocene

Location: USA

Size (picture scale cube=1cm): 105 x 5 x 58mm (4.13 x 0.2 x 2.28 inches)

**Please note: Some fossils maybe propped up for photo purposes**

ACTUAL AS SEEN: The image shows the EXACT specimen you will receive. The specimen has been carefully hand selected and photographed. Measurements are as accurate as possible, though be aware measuring precise dimensions can be difficult from irregular shaped items. Whilst we portray colours as close to life-like as we can, colours will vary if taken in sunlight, indoors, from monitor to monitor and device to device. Once this specimen is sold, we will update this listing with new similar selected item, with a new photo and dimensions.

(Actual as seen)

Only 1 left in stock

SKU: FP9907 Category: American Fish

Description

This listing features a genuine fossil fish specimen of Knightia alta, a prehistoric fish that once swam in the freshwater lakes and rivers of what is now North America during the Eocene Epoch, approximately 56 to 33.9 million years ago.

Knightia is an extinct genus belonging to the same family as modern herring and sardines. These small schooling fish likely fed on algae, diatoms, small invertebrates, and occasionally tinier fish. They had heavy scales, small conical teeth, and distinctive dorsal and ventral scutes (bony plates) that extended along their bodies. Fossils of Knightia are often found in large numbers, sometimes preserved in shoals or even overlapping, highlighting their communal nature.

The specimen in this listing was discovered in the Green River Formation, a world-famous fossil site in the western United States known for its exceptional preservation of fish, plants, and other freshwater organisms.

While the skeletal section of the fish is naturally fossilised, the organic soft tissue usually decomposes over time. To enhance visibility and structural interpretation, preparators often apply a brown mineral-based stain to highlight the body position, bones, and where features such as fins and outlines would have been. This practice also helps protect the fossil’s surface.

Whether you are an avid collector, educator, or someone fascinated by Earth’s prehistoric past, a Knightia fossil is an iconic and accessible piece of ancient history.

Item Details:

Name: Knightia alta
Specimen: Fossil Fish in Matrix
Age: Eocene Epoch (~56–33.9 million years ago)
Location: Green River Formation, USA
Scale Reference: Scale cube = 1cm. Please refer to photo for full sizing.
Certificate of Authenticity: Included

ACTUAL AS SEEN: The image shows the exact specimen you will receive. Each fossil is hand-selected and photographed with care to showcase its detail.

Please Note:

Some fossils may be propped up for photography purposes.
Colours may vary depending on lighting and display settings.
Once sold, this listing will be refreshed with a new similar item and updated photos.
We recommend saving or screenshotting your purchase photo for future reference.
All photos are archived.

100% Genuine Fossil – Professionally Selected – Certificate of Authenticity Included

Additional information

Weight	10 g
Era	Eocene
Origin	USA

Eocene Information

The Eocene Period (56–33.9 million years ago) was a time of warm global temperatures and the rapid evolution of mammals following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The climate was hot and humid, with lush rainforests covering much of the planet, even near the poles. Mammals diversified into new ecological roles, with early primates, whales (like Basilosaurus), large herbivores, and carnivores emerging. Birds and reptiles also thrived, and the first grasses began spreading, setting the stage for later grassland ecosystems. By the late Eocene, the Earth’s climate cooled significantly, leading to the formation of the first Antarctic ice sheets and the eventual transition to the drier, cooler Oligocene Period.

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Knightia alta Fossil Fish in Matrix from Eocene USA – Genuine Prehistoric Fish Skeleton – Certificate Included

Description

Additional information

Eocene Information

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