Knightia Eocaena Fish fossil (tan colour) 56-33.9 million years

Knightia Eocaena was one of the largest of the knightia to have lived during the Eocene and could grow to lengths of 25cm but most only reaching 15cm, commonly found on large mortality plates in groups which gives evidence that these types of fish lived in large shoals, which is common for prey species (safety in numbers) The knightia was probably a main food source for some of the larger fish at the time, such as Diplomystus and Lepisosteus, evidence of this can been seen within fossil records, showing these fish with knightia in the mouth or stomach. These fossils are mainly found in the green river formation (Wyoming) and is known as the state fossil of Wyoming. The Knightia had a fairly slender body with rows of dorsal and ventral scutes running from the back of the head to the medial fins, they had thick set fins set close to the main body which were shorter than most other species. Though these fish were not a main predatory fish, they did have rows of teeth, small conical teeth which allowed this fish to consume hard shelled insects and possibly if the opportunity arose, other smaller fish.