Mesacanthus peachi Fossil Fish Devonian Achanarras Limestone Caithness Scotland UK Authentic Specimen with Certificate

Authentic Devonian Fossil Fish from the Famous Achanarras Quarry

Offered here is a genuine Mesacanthus peachi fossil fish, preserved within the celebrated Achanarras Limestone of Achanarras Quarry, Caithness, Scotland, UK. This remarkable specimen dates back to the Devonian Period, often called the Age of Fishes, when early vertebrate life diversified dramatically in ancient lakes and seas.

This fossil is a carefully chosen collector’s piece, and the photograph shows the exact specimen you will receive. Full sizing details are provided in the listing images for complete confidence when purchasing.

A Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card is included, confirming that this is a genuine prehistoric fossil specimen.

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Fossil Species – Mesacanthus peachi

Mesacanthus peachi is an extinct early jawed fish belonging to the group known as the Acanthodians, often referred to as “spiny sharks.” These ancient fish are of great evolutionary importance because they share characteristics with both sharks and bony fish, representing an early stage in vertebrate development.

Mesacanthus is recognised for its streamlined body shape and the presence of distinctive fin spines that supported its fins. Fossils from Achanarras frequently preserve delicate skeletal outlines, making them especially valuable for collectors and students of palaeontology.

Notable fossil traits include:

• Slender fish-like profile

• Prominent fin spines typical of acanthodians

• Early jawed vertebrate anatomy

• Compact size ideal for display

This fossil offers a unique glimpse into the early evolutionary history of fishes more than 380 million years ago.

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Geological Age – Middle Devonian, the “Age of Fishes”

This specimen comes from the Middle Devonian, approximately 385 million years old, a key time in Earth’s history when aquatic ecosystems became dominated by a wide variety of fish groups.

The Devonian Period is one of the most important eras for vertebrate evolution, witnessing the rise of jawed fishes that would eventually give rise to amphibians and land-dwelling vertebrates.

Owning a Mesacanthus fossil means holding an authentic relic from a formative stage in the history of life on Earth.

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The Achanarras Limestone – World-Renowned Fossil Deposit

The Achanarras Limestone of Caithness is internationally recognised as one of Britain’s most significant Devonian fossil deposits. It is famous for producing exceptionally preserved fish fossils, often retaining fine anatomical details due to the unique sedimentary conditions.

Achanarras Quarry represents an ancient freshwater lake environment within the Old Red Sandstone continent. Calm waters, fine carbonate-rich muds, and low oxygen levels created ideal circumstances for fossilisation.

Associated fossils from this site include:

• Early jawed fish

• Arthropods

• Rare vertebrate remains

• Well-preserved lake fauna

This locality has long been studied for its contribution to understanding Devonian freshwater ecosystems.

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Depositional Environment & Fossil Preservation

Mesacanthus lived in warm Devonian lake systems when Scotland lay much closer to the equator. After death, organisms sank to the quiet lake bottom, where they were rapidly buried in fine sediments.

Low oxygen conditions limited decay and scavenging, allowing delicate skeletal structures to fossilise. Over millions of years, mineral replacement preserved the fish within solid limestone, creating the striking fossil specimen seen today.

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Ideal for Collectors, Education, and Display

This genuine fossil fish is perfect for:

• Fossil fish and early vertebrate collections

• Scottish geological heritage displays

• Educational teaching specimens in palaeontology

• Unique gifts for fossil and natural history enthusiasts

Mesacanthus peachi from Achanarras Quarry is a highly desirable and scientifically meaningful fossil from one of the world’s classic Devonian sites.

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Authenticity & Buyer Confidence

• Genuine Mesacanthus peachi fossil fish

• Devonian, Achanarras Limestone, Caithness, Scotland, UK

• Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card

• Photo shows the exact specimen you will receive

• Carefully selected collector-quality fossil

Add a rare and fascinating piece of the Devonian Age of Fishes to your collection with this beautiful Mesacanthus peachi fossil from ancient Scotland.