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).
we got them paddlefish here in the Ozarks...season just about to start...you snag them...big ugly ass fish
State record for alligator gar is 127 pounds.
Paddlefish record is 140 pounds, 9 ozs, taken at Table Rock.
Paddle-fish reminded me of a story from the earlier days of DNA testing when a ring of US Russian Mafia were busted for labelling and selling Montana Paddle-fish eggs as Beluga.