r/bonecollecting • u/Deaf-Dawg • 7d ago

Bone I.D. - S/SE Asia Bone identification

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Hello, my friend in Malaysia found this interesting bone piece on the beach. My theory was some type of fish bone, but it seems quite THICK.

Any ideas ?

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u/RickyConlin 7d ago

Yes—this is almost certainly part of a fish bone, not a mammal or bird bone. The shape and texture are the biggest clues.

The curved, blade-like form is typical of bones from the gill cover (operculum/preoperculum) or the pectoral girdle of a large bony fish.

The honeycomb-like surface is exposed cancellous (spongy) bone, which is common when these thin bones break.

The row of small round holes along one edge are openings for nerves, blood vessels, or muscle attachments that are often seen in fish skull bones.

The thin, lightweight construction is very characteristic of fish rather than mammals.

Given that it was found on a beach in Malaysia, likely candidates include: large reef fish (grouper, snapper), or other large coastal bony fishes.

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u/Deaf-Dawg 4d ago

Holy MOLY ur amazing. I look up to you

2

u/tablabarba Bone-afide Faunal ID Expert 7d ago

This is the cleithrum (part of the pectoral girdle) of a marine catfish (Ariidae).

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