Holoptychius
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| Holoptychius Fossil range: Late Devonian |
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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.
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