Fossil fish Lycoptera sp. from China The whole thing has been

The whole thing has been painted with what looks to be red ochre with two black rectangles on opposite sides

There are a few possible causes for this including possible scurvy

They breed in huge colonies with a density of up to 20 pairs on one square metre of rock

The two large cowries are attached to either end of a piece of what looks like bamboo on which the fofona hangs

beetles etc

Fossil fish Lycoptera sp. from China The whole thing has beenThese fish were abundant in fresh water in present day China during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. They are typically found in the preserved sediments and often in groups. This specimen has a complete fossil on one side and an almost complete example on the reverse, together with four partial skeletons. The whole slice measures 24cm x 12cm at the widest points. A lovely example of the species and a nice group of specimens.