pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 A few years ago when I knew nothing about fossils... I purchase a fossil from Ebay... the fish fossil looked neat at the time... closer examination .... gut feeling that is probably a fake.... the head where it joins the spinal column doesn't look quite right???? Any fish experts out there? Opinions? Thanks in advance. PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Was it expensive? It's hard to imagine anyone putting the time into fabricating something that intricate unless they could get a lot for it. Did it come with any information? "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Was it expensive? It's hard to imagine anyone putting the time into fabricating something that intricate unless they could get a lot for it. Did it come with any information? I recall paying $25... I got it from a dealer in Asia.... I think there a was a latin name for the fossil I have lost descriptor name of the fossil.... I am not sure but the origins could be China and surrounding areas. PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone digger Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 looks real to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I see what you mean about the head; maybe that was "restored"? The rest raise no suspicions for me. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinodigger Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Hey its real. The cervical joint there has been distorted a bit but as far as its authenticity I wouldn't doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Thanks everyone for your prompt response, can any one supply an ID name to the fossil... I am not that familiar with fish fossils. PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Many fake fossils are cast up from Bondo type material and then painted. When in doubt, give a small area a gentle rub with a Q - Tip lightly dipped in acetone - containing finger nail polish remover. Every time I have done that to a fake, the paint has come off and the plastic got very soft where I hit it with the acetone such that I could then remove a bit with my finger nail and thus feel the resiliency of the plastic. I agree that would be a lot of work for small returns from a fake, so it is likely real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrocklds Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 it is definately real. and even more, it is a Lycoptera muller from liaoning china. they are very common and can be purchased very inexpensivly. you have a very nice example. Brock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Many fake fossils are cast up from Bondo type material and then painted. When in doubt, give a small area a gentle rub with a Q - Tip lightly dipped in acetone - containing finger nail polish remover. Every time I have done that to a fake, the paint has come off and the plastic got very soft where I hit it with the acetone such that I could then remove a bit with my finger nail and thus feel the resiliency of the plastic. I agree that would be a lot of work for small returns from a fake, so it is likely real. Thank you Bear for the acetone test... I am learning lots from this forum! PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 it is definately real. and even more, it is a Lycoptera muller from liaoning china. they are very common and can be purchased very inexpensivly. you have a very nice example. Brock Brock: Thanks very much for the ID... I did remember that the little peice of paper that I lost... fossil name did start with a "L". Thanks again to all that have replied . The reason why I had posted this fossil is because I read somewhere that most of the fossil coming out of Asia... a good percentage are fakes. PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smilodon Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 it is definately real. and even more, it is a Lycoptera muller from liaoning china. they are very common and can be purchased very inexpensivly. you have a very nice example. Brock I believe it is commonly known as a "lantern fish." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleecan Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 I believe it is commonly known as a "lantern fish." Thank you for the information. PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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