Barbalepis, new fishy contemporary of Iguanodon

[Halichoeres]

From Bernissart, Belgium, where a rich trove of Iguanodon and other Cretaceous fossils have been found, here's Barbalepis macroptera, part of the family Coccolepidae. These aren't very similar to any modern fish, but they're closer to sturgeons and paddlefishes than anything else now living.

Here's a fossil:


Paper (paywall): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195667118302829

[SBell]

Every fish discovery is the best kind of discovery!

[Faelrin]

Really odd looking fish. Really well preserved though.

[Gothmog the Baryonyx]

I can't resist saying this, so sorry in advance, looks like more Baryonyx food.

Regarding the animal itself does look pretty interesting at least from the fossil.

[Halichoeres]

I can't resist saying this, so sorry in advance, looks like more Baryonyx food.

Regarding the animal itself does look pretty interesting at least from the fossil.

Haha, that's okay, but I bet when Baryonyx died near a body of water these guys helped to pick the carcass apart. Circle of life and all that.