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American Paddlefish — printable fact sheet
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American Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
The American Paddlefish is a large, ancient freshwater fish known for its long, paddle-shaped snout, called a rostrum, which can be up to one-third of its body length. It inhabits slow-moving waters of large rivers and reservoirs in the Mississippi River basin of North America. …
Did you know?
- Paddlefish are among the few North American fish species that use filter feeding, sweeping plankton into their large, gaping mouths as they swim.
- The paddlefish's rostrum is covered with electroreceptors that help it detect plankton. Unlike most fish, paddlefish do not have scales, giving them a smooth, shark-like skin. These fish have existed since the time of the dinosaurs, with fossil records dating back over 125 million years.
What I learned
Draw the american paddlefish
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