Pair of Solnhofen Fish - Aspidorhynchus

Aspidorhynchus acutirostris

Upper Jurassic (Tithonian), Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany

An exceptional split pair of Aspidorhynchus acutirostris, preserved with remarkable fidelity in the fine-grained Solnhofen Limestone. Slender, elongated, and unmistakably predatory, Aspidorhynchus was among the dominant ray-finned fishes of the Late Jurassic lagoons, its needle-like rostrum and streamlined form perfectly adapted for pursuit in calm, shallow waters.

Both halves of the specimen display superb skeletal articulation, crisp fin rays, and fine scale detail, attesting to rapid burial in the anoxic lagoonal environment for which Solnhofen is renowned. The stone itself is enlivened by naturally occurring dendritic mineralization, lending the fossil an added aesthetic dimension that frames the fish beautifully without distraction. Restoration is virtually absent, limited only to minor colour enhancement in select areas typical of split specimens, preserving the integrity and authenticity of the fossil.

The Solnhofen Limestone is celebrated as one of the world’s most important fossil deposits, yielding icons such as Archaeopteryx alongside exquisitely preserved fishes, pterosaurs, and soft-bodied organisms. This pair stands as a particularly refined example of the deposit’s extraordinary preservational window and represents one of the most visually compelling specimens of Aspidorhynchus we have encountered.

A striking and scientifically significant display fossil, equally suited to a private collection or institutional context.

Specifications

• Species: Aspidorhynchus acutirostris (ray-finned fish)
• Age: Upper Jurassic, Tithonian (c. 150.8–145.5 million years ago)
• Locality: Solnhofen layers (Malm Zeta 2), Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany
• Longest straight-line length of specimen: 44 cm / 17.3 in
• Matrix dimensions (approx.): 60 × 40 cm / 23.6 × 15.75 in

Please note: International buyers are responsible for any applicable import duties or taxes, which vary by country.