What kind of fish fossil did I find on the beach in Swansea, UK?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of a potential fish fossil found on a beach in Swansea, UK. Participants explore the characteristics of the fossil, its geological context, and the legality of fossil hunting in the area. The conversation includes various perspectives on the nature of the find and the excitement of fossil discovery.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a rock that appears to be a fish fossil, noting features such as closely set eyes and a large tail/fin.
  • Another suggests taking the find to a local university or college for expert opinion.
  • Concerns about looking silly for questioning whether it is a fossil are expressed, with encouragement to seek knowledge regardless of the outcome.
  • Discussion includes the geological context of Swansea, with references to its Carboniferous-aged rocks and potential fossil richness.
  • Some participants propose that the fossil could be a coral, while others assert it has distinct bone-like structures, indicating it may be a fish fossil.
  • Questions arise about the timeline of fish evolution and the transition to amphibians, with some participants providing speculative historical context.
  • Legal considerations regarding fossil hunting in protected areas are raised, with advice to check local legislation and safety concerns about digging in cliffs.
  • One participant shares their excitement about finding additional fossils, including mussels and limpets, and inquires about their geological age.
  • Another participant mentions acquiring a crinoid fossil, adding to the discussion of fossil finds in the area.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the identification of the fossil, with some suggesting it is a coral while others argue for its classification as a fish fossil. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of the find and the implications of fossil hunting practices.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the geological age of the fossils and the implications of fossil hunting laws. There are references to the difficulty in identifying fossils based on visual characteristics, and the discussion includes various assumptions about the fossil's nature.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in geology, paleontology, fossil identification, and legal aspects of fossil hunting may find this discussion informative.

Dylan Roberts
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I Found This Rock/Pebble Whilst Down The Beach In Swansea, UK And I Was Intruged As To What It Is.. After Inspection I'd Almost definitely Say Its Of A Fish And One With Eyes Very Close Together It Would Appear... It Also Has A Large Tail/Fin On One Side On The Rock, Also It Appears To Have A Small ''Nose'' Approximately 1cm Infront Of Its Eyes. The Reason It Is Shiny Is Because I Made It Glossy To Bring Out Detail, There Are Also definite Bone Like Structures Throughout The ''Tail''. Any Help With This Is Very Much Appreciated As I am Only 14 And This Is Quite Exciting As I Want A Job In Geology When I am Older... Thanks Again.
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Why don't you bring it to your local university or college and see what they say?
 
Yeah Thats An Idea :) Is This A Fossil Though Because I Really Dont Want To Look Silly Hehe
 
Why would you look silly? And if you did, who cares? You'll learn something either way.
 
Yeah Hope This Is Something Good Now :) Also I Found 2 Mussel Fossils And A Limpet Fossil ... Well That What They Look Like
 
I looked up Swansea, and it appears to be an area of Torridonian sandstone.
If so, then that would make it 542 million years old or more.
 
opps, the first map I looked at had 2 colors (navy blue and black) for different geologies.
One of those colors was near Swansea and my computer didn't display the difference very well.

On a second map, it appears clearer that Swansea has a coal measure geology.
That would be the upper carboniferous period or somewhere between 300 to 330 million years old. As far as fossils go, that is a much richer period of time.
 
Wow Interesting... So This Would Be A Very old Fossil ? Was This Around The point Fish Started Becoming Amphibians Before Or After ? I am So Glad With My Find Now :) And I've Noticed Now Aswell That There's A Fin Going Across The Whole Top Of Its Body
 
Hey,

Swansea is indeed on Carboniferous-aged rocks. The fossil appears to be a coral. Specifically a rugose-type coral. The preservation isn't great, but still a nice find. The area around Swansea is a classic locality for Carboniferous marine limestones - essentially an ancient reef.
 
  • #10
Dylan Roberts said:
I Really Dont Want To Look Silly Hehe

First rule when you want to look serious: avoid abuse of formatting and capitalization.
 
  • #11
Dylan Roberts said:
Yeah Thats An Idea :) Is This A Fossil Though Because I Really Dont Want To Look Silly Hehe

I found out that ppl involved with geology and paleontology are really cool guys and girls. They are most of the time happy when you go to them with something, no matter how little thing it is. I think most of them will be nice and won't ridicule you even if its not a fossil.
 
  • #12
Im Going To Get It Checked Soon, More Hunting In The Same Place Tommorow I Think. :)
 
  • #13
Dylan Roberts said:
Im Going To Get It Checked Soon, More Hunting In The Same Place Tommorow I Think. :)

See, Borek, how much he cares :devil:
 
  • #14
About My Grammar Or Fossil Hunting Lol ?
 
  • #15
If i started to dig into a limestone cliff could i find fossils and also is it legal ? Even though its on a secluded bay so hardly anyone would see ;).
 
  • #16
Dylan Roberts said:
If i started to dig into a limestone cliff could i find fossils and also is it legal ? Even though its on a secluded bay so hardly anyone would see ;).

Check your legislation for the general case and be aware it is a misdemeanor in most of the world to dig in protected areas.
 
  • #17
There's probably a high chance of it being protected :(. How Do I Go About Finding Out About The Legislation ?
 
  • #18
Dylan Roberts said:
If i started to dig into a limestone cliff could i find fossils and also is it legal ? Even though its on a secluded bay so hardly anyone would see ;).

Fossils should only be removed if they are loose, or easily extracted from the rock. Please do not "dig" out large portions of rock, especially a cliff - it could be dangerous. However, you must obtain permission from the landowner if the site on private land, and most importantly, check the site is not an SSSI, RIGS or other protected site. This website gives basic safety information, as well as some very good fossil localities: http://www.ukfossils.co.uk/national_collecting_code.htm

P.S Look up the page a wee bit and you'll see I've told you what your fossil is :)
 
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  • #19
Thanks For All The Help :)! However I Really Dont Think This Is Rugose Coral As I Can definitely Make Out The Structures In Picture 2 To Be 3 separate ''Bones'' And Also I Can Make Out 1 definite eye and another highly possible one. Also it now looks like a fin running along the top of it. Some Of These are hard to notice in the pictures but they are all definitely there ?? Its A Puzzling One


And also can u find fossils in a limestone cliff people :)?
 
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  • #20
Dylan Roberts said:
Wow Interesting... Was This Around The point Fish Started Becoming Amphibians Before Or After ?

The fish of the fossil lived between 30 to 100 million years before fish had evolved legs and started walking on land. So, there were plenty of land creatures by the time.

Lots of coal beds were being laid down at the time because there were lots of plant life on land especially in marshy areas. This supported lots of insects, amphibians and reptiles, but no dinosaurs or birds. Don't believe there were real trees as we know them either at the time.
 
  • #21
Thanks For All The Information :) Also I Have One Of A Mussel, One Of A Limpet And One That Includes 2 Razor Fish But Their Only About 3cm Each... Would All These Be Around The Same Time Also ?
 
  • #22
geologyrocks said:
Fossils should only be removed if they are loose, or easily extracted from the rock. Please do not "dig" out large portions of rock, especially a cliff - it could be dangerous.

Dangerous things are fun :P The real problem would be the with chaotic digging the destruction of a potentially valuable site.
 
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  • #23
I went today and got a crinoid :)
 

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