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Phareodus Fossil Fish Eocene Wyoming USA Green River Formation Rare Prehistoric Fish Specimen with Premium Certificate of Authenticity

Original price was: £360.00.Current price is: £252.00.

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

Specimen: Mioplosus Fish in Matrix

Age: Eocene

Location: Wyoming, USA

 

Scale cube=1cm: Full sizing please see photo

 

Phareodus is a genus of freshwater fish from the Paleocene to the Eocene of Australia, Europe and North and South America. This genus includes at least four species, P. testis and P. encaustus of North America, P. muelleri of Europe, and P. queenslandicus of Australia.

 

**A high quality display fossil with a photo that shows the actual specimen you will receive**

(Actual as seen)

Includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity.

Only 1 left in stock

SKU: UF0579 Category:

Description

Genuine Phareodus Fossil Fish from Wyoming, USA

Offered here is an exceptional Phareodus fossil fish from the Eocene epoch, collected in Wyoming, USA, one of the world’s most celebrated fossil localities for prehistoric fish preservation. This is a carefully chosen, genuine fossil specimen, and the photographs show the exact fossil you will receive. Full sizing details can be seen clearly in the listing images.

This fossil includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, providing added confidence and long-term assurance of its provenance and legitimacy.


Fossil Identification: Phareodus

Phareodus is an extinct genus of predatory freshwater fish that lived during the Eocene, approximately 56–34 million years ago. These fish are best known from the famous Green River Formation, which spans parts of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.

Phareodus was a powerful, streamlined hunter with a deep body, large mouth, and prominent teeth, making it one of the apex predators of its ancient lake ecosystem. Fossils of this genus are highly prized due to their distinctive anatomy and frequent high-quality preservation.


Geological Age and Formation

This specimen originates from the Green River Formation, dating to the Eocene epoch. During this time, the region that is now Wyoming was covered by vast subtropical freshwater lakes, surrounded by lush vegetation and a warm climate. Fine-grained sediments settled gently at the lake bottoms, creating ideal conditions for fossilisation.

The calm, low-oxygen environment limited scavenging and decay, allowing fish such as Phareodus to be preserved with remarkable detail, often including:

  • Clear skeletal outlines

  • Defined fins and tail structures

  • Distinct jaw and tooth morphology

  • Well-proportioned body shape


Morphology and Notable Features

Phareodus fossils are recognised for their robust, laterally compressed bodies and strong jaw structure. The teeth are typically sharp and well-spaced, reflecting their carnivorous lifestyle. Fins are often clearly visible, with the dorsal and caudal fins providing balance and propulsion in open water.

This specimen displays natural fossil contrast between the fish and the surrounding matrix, enhancing its visual impact and making it suitable for both scientific appreciation and display.


Depositional Environment and Preservation

The fossil formed in a freshwater lacustrine environment, where microscopic sediment layers gradually buried the fish after death. Over millions of years, mineral replacement preserved the skeletal structure in stone, capturing a snapshot of ancient life with exceptional clarity.

The Green River Formation is internationally regarded as one of the finest fossil fish deposits on Earth, and Phareodus is among its most iconic species.


Collector, Display, and Educational Value

This Phareodus fossil fish is ideal for:

  • Fossil and natural history collections

  • Educational or academic displays

  • Museums or private study collections

  • High-quality home or office décor

  • Unique gifts for fossil and geology enthusiasts

Each specimen is naturally unique, shaped entirely by ancient geological processes.


Premium Certificate of Authenticity Included

This is a genuine fossil specimen and includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, offering peace of mind and long-term confidence in the specimen’s authenticity.


A Window into Prehistoric Life

Phareodus fossils provide a rare and fascinating insight into prehistoric freshwater ecosystems of North America. This specimen represents a real predator from an ancient world, preserved for millions of years and now ready to be appreciated as a timeless natural relic.

Additional information

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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