The importance of the late Silurian Entelognathus, announced to the world in September of 2013, is that it's the earliest placoderm (armored fish) yet identified in the fossil record, and it possessed primitive jaws that made it a more efficient predator. University of Michigan Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Zebra Danio Or Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Longevity, Ageing, And Life History. ), The late Devonian Materpiscis is the earliest viviparous vertebrate yet identified, meaning that this prehistoric fish gave birth to live young rather than laying eggs, unlike the vast majority of viviparous (egg-laying) fish. There have been documented cases of bettas living five years or more, but that is not the norm. In the late Devonian period, about 370 million years ago, that ecological niche was filled by the 20-foot-long prehistoric fish Titanichthys, which was one of the largest vertebrates of its time (outclassed only by the truly gigantic Dunkleosteus) yet seems to have subsisted on the tiniest fish and single-celled organisms. Middle Jurassic (180-160 million years ago), Large eyes; whip-like tail; protruding dental plates. Technically, probably not: this creature likely had a primitive "notochord" rather than a true backbone, and its skull (another anatomical feature that characterizes all true vertebrates) was cartilaginous rather than solid. If there had been such a thing as sports fishing 200 million years ago, specimens of Hypsocormus would have been mounted in plenty of Mesozoic living rooms. Unbelievably, this smallish fish was a close relative of the biggest vertebrate of the Devonian period, the huge (about 30 feet long and 3 to 4 ton) Dunkleosteus. However, in general, smaller fish have a shorter lifespan than larger fish, and fish that lay eggs live longer than those that give birth to live young. Closely related to the modern perch, this prehistoric fish had a fairly small, round body with an unforked tail and a protruding lower jaw, the better to suck up unwary snails and crustaceans from the bottom of rivers and lakes. They are perhaps the best example of how poor habitat and care shortens the lifespan of aquarium fish. The Devonian Cheirolepis could also open its jaws extremely wide, allowing it to swallow fish up to two-thirds of its own size. - Buy this stock illustration and explore similar illustrations at Adobe Stock About two feet long and a few pounds Diet: Fish Distinguishing Characteristics: Long, pointed snout; symmetrical tail Judging by the number of its fossils, Aspidorhynchus must have been a particularly successful prehistoric fish of the late Jurassic period. This is a list of common fish names.While some common names refer to a single species or family, others have been used for a confusing variety of types; the articles listed here should explain the possibilities if the name is ambiguous. One of the first vertebrates (i.e., animals with backbones) ever to evolve on earth, almost 500 million years ago toward the start of the Ordovician period, Arandaspis wasn't much to look at by the standards of modern fish: with its small size, flat body and complete lack of fins, this prehistoric fish was more reminiscent of a giant tadpole than a small tuna. Play top-rated Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management, Match 3 Games, and more. Directed by Tim Burton. Yet another "-aspis" prehistoric fish of the Devonian period (others include Arandaspis and Astraspis), Cephalaspis was a small, big-headed, well-armored bottom feeder that probably fed on aquatic microorganisms and the waste of other marine creatures. Livebearing fish such as mollies, platys, and swordtails generally live less than five years. Astraspis (Greek for "star shield"); pronounced as-TRASS-pis, Late Ordovocian (450-440 million years ago), Small size; lack of fins; thick plates on head.