What is a paddlefish?

Paddlefish (_Polyodon spathula_) are prehistoric-looking fish found in rivers and lakes of the Mississippi River basin in North America and the Yangtze River basin in China, and were once found as far east as the Chesapeake Bay. They are long, slender fish with flat, shovel-like snouts that give them their name, and they have rows of small, sharp teeth on their jaws that they use to feed on plankton, small fish, and other aquatic organisms. Paddlefish can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) long and weigh over 200 pounds (91 kilograms). They are considered endangered due to habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution, but conservation efforts are being made to protect them and their habitats. Paddlefish are prized for their meat, which is often smoked and used in spreads, and their roe, which is used to make caviar. They are also valued as sport fish due to their size and fight.