The paddlefish is a fish in the family Polyodontidae. It is the only living species in its genus. The paddlefish is native to the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico. It is also found in the Yangtze River basin in China. The paddlefish is a large fish, with adults typically reaching a length of 3-6 feet and a weight of 100-200 pounds. The largest paddlefish ever caught was a 12-foot-long, 219-pound fish caught in the Missouri River in 1911. The paddlefish has a long, flat snout that it uses to sweep the bottom of rivers and streams for food. The paddlefish feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and insects. The paddlefish is a threatened species, and its numbers have been declining in recent years due to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. The female paddlefish is typically larger than the male paddlefish.