Taxman56 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I have a nice 3 plus inch long lobster in marl from the Ramminison Creek. I think it would look good to clean off some of the marl but its on there pretty hard. Either theres no shell material under where I want to go so it won't break off or its really cemented it on good. I don't want to destroy the critter. Any ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordpiney Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 (edited) you could take a dremel sanding disc to the marl, very lightly, but i would just leave it john. it's got plenty of detail. it might actually be a whole ghost shrimp. Edited April 8, 2010 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamalama Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Yeah, I agree with Phil. It's a good looking piece as is. Maybe use a buffing tool to clean some of the loose stuff from around the shell. Not often you see a tail segment. -Dave __________________________________________________ Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPheeIf I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPheeCheck out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taxman56 Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 Thanks for the info. I didn't want to go near it with power tools thats for sure. I tried a small pick but nothing was coming off easy. I'll leave it alone and post more pictures on the trip forum. So Phil you think its more ghost shrimp than lobster? I don't think there's much I found on the web but one lobster tail specimen I saw once. I was guessing lobster since there are usually preserved pieces found. Since most of the tail is intact I would think that would help in identifying it. I think there is a claw piece under the marl too but not enough showing to guess how big or intact it is. Sounds like I need a trip to Trenton some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilsofnj Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Taxman, It’s most definitely Hoploparia gabbi, also known as a clawed lobster and is very often mistaken for the ghost shrimp. I’ve had the same problem with several NJ specimens, if you cannot easily remove the matrix with a dental pick after soaking in water for a few minutes then leave it as is. It’s a nice find and looks pretty good to me au natural. It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling. - Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Nice fossil. I would also be tempted to remove some of the marl. Looks like a job for a microjack and an air abrasive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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