The bones of a bonefish found in Mexico

[Halichoeres]

A new genus and species of bonefish has been described from the Albian-Cenomanian ("middle" Cretaceous) of Mexico. Meet Nunaneichthys mexicanus (from 'nunane' = 'small-mouthed' in the indigenous Otomi language). This fish demonstrates that bonefishes were already present in the western Tethys sea during the mid-Cretaceous. Consider adding one to your umpteenth Spinosaurus drawing!

Nunaneichthys mexicanus



Paper (paywall, but don't let that stop you): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0895981120305757

[Faelrin]

That title rolls off the tongue quite nicely doesn't it?

Very nicely preserved. Almost looks fresh... without the smell.

I also need to look up this group of fish too. Not sure I have heard of that before (outside the context of a skeletal fish like our dear friend here is). Chances are I have and just don't remember like most things.

I can only wonder how they got their name assuming it is not something obvious such as that they are fish with bones, or many lol.


Edit: It was as I suspected. So bony they are hard to eat most of the time.

[Halichoeres]

You nailed it! Yeah, they are pretty inconvenient to fillet, but they're supposed to be good sport fish because they fight hard.