Polyodon spathula

(Walbaum, 1792)

Vernacular names
English : Mississippi paddlefish
French : Spatulaire

Classification
Class : Chondrostei
Order : Acipenseriformes
Family : Polyodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 2.20 meters in length but are usually much smaller. Maximum weight is over 100 kg. Very large head with long paddle-shaped snout and huge mouth. Coloration is dark slaty-grey on back and flanks. Clear belly.

Range and habitat
The species is now endemic to the eastern half of USA, being found in the Mississippi drainage and most river basins flowing to the Gulf of Mexico. Occurs mostly in freshwater rivers, mostly in slow flowing-waters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is widespread and numerous but is experiencing declines because of habitat loss, dam construction and predation by alien species.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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