This is the “Fossil Friday” post #210.  Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website.  We will post any fossil pictures you send in to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Please include a short description or story.  Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!

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For this week, we have a beautiful Rhabdoderma exiguum, which is a Mazon Creek coelacanth.  Coelacanths are lobe-finned fish, thought extinct since the Cretaceous.  The first living coelacanth was discovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. There are now two known living species.

This spectacular specimen was found in Pit 11 by ESCONI member Dan Quasney.  In a story you’ll hear many times… he didn’t know what he had until he got home and cleaned it.  Congratulations, this is a gorgeous fish.  The tail and scales are very detailed!  Thanks for sharing, Dan!