Cheirolepis

Science Name

Cheirolepidae

Description

Habitat

Its streamlined body was encased in a heavy coat of small, rectangular scales, arranged in diagonal rows just like those of the spiny sharks.A row of large scales stiffened the top side of the tail's elongated upper lobe. These scales were a unique feature of all early ray-finned fishes.The upturned tail tended to drive the fish downward in the water. So to counteract this, the paired pectoral and pelvic fins on the underside functioned as hydrofoils, elevating the body at the front. Stability was provided by the large dorsal and anal fins.

Behaviour

Life History

Region Found

Europe (Scotland) and North America (Canada)