Large Fossil Fish Swallowing Small Fish

In this unique specimen, a gorgeous Diplomystus dentatus is preserved swallowing a small, spiny fish called Cockerellites liops.

It's truly remarkable that this dynamic ecological event was frozen in time for millions of years! In addition to the tail of the smaller fish protruding from the predator's mouth, its small spines and other bones are visible deeper inside the stomach of the Diplomystus.

In this piece, the earthy brown bones of the fish stand out in striking contrast to the light shale matrix. These fish swam in ancient Eocene lakes in Wyoming, USA, 50 million years ago. They were discovered in the famous Green River Formation, which is known to produce some of the most spectacular vertebrate fossils in the world.

Hours of painstaking work by a professional fossil preparator was needed to uncover the fine bones of this fossil from the stone. Surely, it was worth the effort to bring this ancient fish to life.