LINKS TO ALL FISH:

 

Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons) 

Pycnodontiformes

Amiiformes (Bowfins)

  • Lehmanamia sheppeyensis

Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)

Albuliformes (Bonefishes)

Anguilliformes (Eels)

Elopiformes (Tarpon / Tenpounders)

Siluriformes (Catfish)

Gonorynchiformes (Milk fish)

Aulopiformes (Grinners & Lizardfish)

Gadiformes (Cod & Hake)

Holocentriformes (Soldier fish)

  • Myripristis toliapicus
  • Naupygus bucklandi
  • Paraberyx bowerbanki

Ophidiiformes (Cusk-eels)

Scombriformes (Mackerel & Tuna)

Gempylidae (Snake Mackerels)

Carangiformes (Jack Mackerels)

Istiophoriformes (Billfish)

Labriformes (Wrasses)

Perciformes (Perch-like)

Pleuronectiformes (Flatfish)

Acanthuriformes (Luvar fish)

  • Beerichthys ingens
  • Beerichthys sp.

Ephippiformes (Spadefishes)

Lampriformes (Opahs/Oarfish)

Spariformes (Sea Bream)

Protarpon (Megalops) priscus

Scientific Classification

Class:               Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish)

Order:              Elopiformes

Family:             Elopidae

Genus:             Protarpon (Megalops)

Species:          priscus (Casier 1966)

Protarpon priscus is a distinctive, early-Tarpon from the London Clay due to it’s large, diverging pronounced ridges on the top of the skull. 

 

The holotype within the collections of the NHM, London is a superb specimen showcasing a complete skull in 3D from what would have been an enormous fish.

 

The illustration represents a modern member of the Megalops family – that of the Pacific Tarpon. This is taken from Bloch’s ‘Oeconmische Naturgesthichte der Fische Deutschlands’ from 1785.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
  • Large operculum (1)
  • Diverging raised ridges on top of cranium (2)
Primary Example: HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV OR 36070
3D Scan: HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV OR 36070
Additional Example: PARATYPE NHMUK PV P 637
References
  • Casier, E. (1966) Fauna ichthyologique du London Clay. British Museum Natural History London, 1966, 1-496

  • Monsch, K (2005) Revision of the scombroid fishes from the Cenozoic of England

  • Raynor, Mitchell, Clouter (2009) London Clay Fossils of Kent and Essex