At a glance
- IUCN category
- EX · Extinct
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Trend unknown
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Chinese paddlefish was one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, a giant of the Yangtze with a long paddle-shaped snout. It has been declared Extinct.
It has not been reliably recorded for many years and is now considered lost.
Range & habitat
Formerly the Yangtze River of China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Overfishing
- Dams that blocked spawning migrations
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
A giant Yangtze fish now declared extinct, the Chinese paddlefish is a stark reminder of how dams and overfishing can erase even the largest river animals.
Declared Extinct by the IUCN in 2022; one of the largest freshwater fish.
Sources
Sources for Chinese Paddlefish
- IUCN Red List — look up Chinese Paddlefish (authoritative status)
- FishBase
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chinese paddlefish really extinct?
Yes — it has been declared extinct, with no reliable records for many years. It is a sobering example of the loss of a giant freshwater fish.
What caused the Chinese paddlefish's extinction?
Published accounts cite overfishing, dams that blocked its spawning migrations, and habitat loss along the Yangtze. See the IUCN Red List for the assessment.
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