Sir Knightia Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Dear Fossil Forum, Though I love fossils for their beauty and wonder, I am not very knowledgable about them I'm afraid. Is this fish a Diplomystus or a Knightia? I thought it was a Diplo because of the incredibly upturned mouth, but have since noticed Knightias for sale on the net that also have this pose. As you can see, the bottom rear fin by the tail is pure paint. I didn't prep that part of the fossil, and when I learned Diplos have that fin, I tried to go back and uncover the area, but I had already sealed the fossil and couldn't prep it, so... Anyway, I'd love for you to look at this and tell me what you think. What kind of herring is this? Thanks! Gerard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicranurus Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hello, welcome to the forum. It is Diplomystus dentatus Cope, 1877 and it is well known from lower Eocene deposits of the Green River Formation in Wyoming. You have also coprolite below the right corner. "It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." -Sir David Attenborough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Knightia Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hello Dicranurus, thank you for the ID! I am very glad to hear this is indeed a Diplo, it's the only one of it's kind in my collection right now. Good hunting to you, have a great week:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone digger Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 It's a Diplo, but I'm afraid the whole thing is probably nothing but paint and it also appears to be the negative not the positive. Nice display piece though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Knightia Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Hi Bone Digger, Yes, the Diplo's bones kept fracturing when I was 'prepping' it, and it really was very spotty looking. There wasn't enough of it to really contrast with the matrix, so I decided to paint it. I overdid it, it's too dark...you're right, it's mostly paint, ha ha:)I can kind of understand why people paint their fish now, but I hope I will only do it sparingly. Thanks, Gerard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone digger Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Hey Gerard, I painted some fish from the split fish layers before and the first few I painted to dark as well. Try just using really thin acrylic paint, sort of a tea colour stain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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