Holoptychius

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Holoptychius
Fossil range: Late Devonian
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sarcopterygii
Order: Coelacanthiformes
Genus: Holoptychius

Holoptychius is an extinct genus of coelacanthiform lobe-finned fish from the Devonian period. It was about 50 cm (1 ft 8 in) long.

Holoptychius was a feared, streamlined predator which fed on other bony fish. Similar to other rhipidists, it had fang-like teeth on its pallet in addition to smaller 'regular' teeth on the jaws. Its asymmetrical tail sported a caudal fin on its lower end; to compensate for the downward push caused by this fin placement Holoptychius's pectoral fins were placed high on the body.