NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Researchers have discovered a prehistoric 'demon-toothed' fish in Socorro County, New Mexico. The fish, which lived over 300 million years ago, was discovered by New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science research associate Susan Harris. Navajo high school teacher brings knowledge of ocean to New Mexican desert The 'Daemodontiscus harrisae' identifies an entirely new genus and species that was uncovered. According to a news release, Harris uncovered a partial skull fossil of the fish in northern Socorro County. Scientists describe the fish as a large ray-finned fish about three to four feet long. They also say the fish lived during the Late Pennsylvanian period about 305 million years ago when New Mexico was a land of tropical islands and shallow seas. What distinguished this fish apart from others of its time is its large fangs throughout the jaw. This also led to the name 'Daemodontiscus' which means demon-toothed fish. The skull fossil of the fish will be on display in the Ancient Life Hall at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The exhibit, set to open in February 2025, will feature around 300 fossils that have been collected over the past 30 years from various locations in New Mexico. This will include some of the state's first fossil record, showcasing the different environments that were here in New Mexico. Some of those environments that were once present in New Mexico include ancient seas, beaches, coastal areas, jungles, swamps, and inland river valleys located hundreds of miles away from the sea. ‘Godzilla shark’: 300 million-year-old fossil discovered in New Mexico A paper published in 'Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan' identifies Daemodontiscus harrisae as a newly discovered genus and species. To view the paper, click here.