Eurypholis - also called the viper fish was a Cretaceous
euteleost with no living close relatives, whose fossils come
chiefly from the region of Hadjoula, Lebanon. Its common
name reflects its long, thin, 'ragged'teeth, reminiscent of the
living sandtiger shark. The scientific name refers to the row
of three large, bony scales superimposed behind its skull on
its back. The dentition, wide eyes and very large mouth give
Eurypholis a fearsome appearance and indicate its predatory
lifestyle. Eurypbolis fossils have been recovered with other
fish in their stomach region -
signs of their last meal. These
fish lived in the warm, shallow
seas of the Mesozoic Era.
Individuals are found alone in
'mass mortality layers' known
from Lebanon, indicating
that they were solitary rather
than shoaling fish.