Fossil fish Enchodus lybicus – Western Morocco

The Enchodus fish is an extinct genus of bony fish, often referred to as the "sabre-toothed herring". However, it appears to be more closely related to salmon. It is characterised by the presence of large teeth on the front of the upper and lower jaw. The shape of the teeth is ideal for biting into small slippery prey such as fish, squid, etc. or for capturing and impaling prey which is then devoured by the rapid opening and closing of the jaws. These teeth, together with the long sleek body and large eyes, suggest that Enchodus was a predatory fish. The largest specimens reached lengths of 1.5 m and their teeth measured over 6 cm. Despite being a formidable predator, Enchodus was lower on the food chain. It was a common prey item for sharks, sea lizards and reptiles, and sometimes large seabirds. This genus of fish survived the end of the age of the dinosaurs and its fossils have been found almost all over the world, but mostly only in the form of teeth, sometimes parts of skulls or jaws. We offer you a well-preserved part of the jaw with teeth from this fish.