A fossilized fish dating back 160 million years has recently been discovered in Yibin City of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The fossilized fish, 30 centimeters long and 13 centimeters wide, was discovered on a 30-kilogram rock at a construction site in Changning County, the daily newspaper Huaxi City News reported.

Experts said the fish looks almost the same as a rock carp, a rare fish species put on the state protection list in China. The fossilized fish looks fleshy and lifelike, and its scales, fin and tail can be seen clearly.

Experts judged that the fish fossil was formed in the Jurassic Period, dating back 160 million years and it was estimated to weigh over one kilogram when it was alive.

The discovery of the fossilized fish has provided valuable materials for studying the changes of landforms, relief and climate in the Changning area, experts noted.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2004)