They exist on 2 continents and nowhere else, in China and the US. The Chinese paddlefish has not been seen since 2007 and is assumed extinct.
The largest Chinese paddlefish on record measured 23 ft (7.0 m) in length, and was estimated to weigh a few thousand pounds.[5] They commonly reach 9.8 ft (3.0 m) and 1,100 lb (500 kg).[5][6][12] Although the American paddlefish is one of the largest freshwater fishes in North America, their recorded lengths and weights fall short in comparison to the larger Chinese paddlefish. American paddlefish commonly reach 5 ft (1.5 m) or more in length and can weigh more than 60 lb (27 kg).