Mississippi paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fish species and information / pictures of Mississippi paddlefish - Polyodon spathula

Mississippi paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fish species information

Scientific Name
Polyodon spathula

Common Name
Mississippi paddlefish

Biology
Inhabits slow-flowing water of large rivers, usually in water deeper than 1.3 m. Feeds on plankton. The extended upper jaw may help to channel plankton into the mouth. Threatened due to over harvesting, habitat loss and pollution.

Classification

Classified By

Walbaum, 1792

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)

Family

Paddlefishes (Polyodontidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Mississippi River system, including the Missouri River into Montana, the Ohio River, and their major tributaries. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction. International trade restricted.

Range

50°N - 30°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

18 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous ; depth range 2 - ? m

Trophic Level

3 s.e. 0.00 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

221 cm

Common Length

120 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.2500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=6-9; tmax=30)

Threat To Humans

Unknown

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)(A3de)