Fish skull, Mesel pit

This is the skull of a large mud fish Cyclurus kehreri. The fossil comes from the Eocene sediments of the Messel Pit near Darmstadt
in Germany.

The skull belonged to a rather large individual, which are rarely found. The fossil measures approximately 14 x 8 cm.

The slab is unbroken and measures approximately 17.5 x 15.5 cm. A hanger is attached to the back.

Interestingly, the dentition of this extinct fish is clearly visible.

As is typical for fossils from this particular site, the specimen was prepared using the resin transfer method. This is the only
way to permanently preserve such fossils.

The Messel Pit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the site is no longer accessible to private collectors, and no new finds have
appeared on the market for decades.

An honest specimen without any manipulations!

Affordable and rare

Key data on Cyclurus kehreri:
Habitat: Freshwater lakes of the Eozaen epoch (approximately 47 to 48 million years ago).
Characteristics: A cylindrical body and powerful teeth, indicating its ambush predatory nature.
Relationships: It is closely related to the North American saithe (Amia calva), which still exists today.