Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 5212833

American Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Also known as Mississippi Paddlefish, Spoonbill, Spoon-billed Cat

American paddlefish glide continuously through murky river currents with their cavernous mouths agape, using intricate gill rakers to strain tens of thousands of tiny crustaceans from open water. Their long, flattened rostrum acts as an electroreceptive antenna array that detects the subtle electrical impulses produced by swarming plankton. In spring, adults embark on extensive upstream migrations to broadcast their eggs over flooded gravel shoals during high water flows.

FreshwaterAncient LineageFilter Feeder
American Paddlefish reference1 / 4
Licensed reference(c) Daniel Beevers, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Beevers · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Daphnia
  • Copepods
  • Mayfly Larvae
Predators
  • Flathead Catfish
  • Largemouth Bass
  • American Alligator
ThreatsDams blocking migratory routes, river channelization, siltation of gravel beds, and poaching for caviar
HabitatsLarge, free-flowing rivers, backwaters, oxbow lakes, and impoundments within the Mississippi River basin
Life span30–50 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPolyodontidae
  2. SpeciesPolyodon spathula
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by its smooth shark-like skin, asymmetrical tail fin, and paddle-shaped snout spanning nearly a third of its length.
Support conservation
Adhere strictly to local catch-and-release regulations and report illegal poaching of eggs to state wildlife agencies.
Responsible observation
  • Tailrace Observation: Look below hydroelectric dams during late spring where migrating adults often congregate in deep eddies.
  • Handle with Care: If accidentally hooked during sport snagging seasons, keep the fish submerged and release it immediately.
  • Boating Awareness: Maintain cautious speeds through shallow backwaters and oxbows where these surface-feeding giants cruise.
Related species
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