| Stethacanthus resembled modern sharks to an extent, except for its
outrageous dorsal fin - the shape of an ironing board - that it seems
was part of courtship display as it is found in the males only. The top
of this fin was covered in rough, tooth-shaped scales that match a patch
of skin on the Stethacanthus' snout. Was this supposed to mimic a huge
mouth and make the creature appear more frightening? Stethacanthus
tended to patrol shallow coastal waters on the lookout for food. It ate
small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods (eg goniatites).
There's evidence Stethacanthus may have been migratory, returning to
particular places to mate and give birth. It could certainly swim quite
fast, although not quickly enough to evade a hungry Dunkleosteus.
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