The American Paddlefish
The East Texas Weekend Preview — Remaining relatively unchanged for million of years, this East Texas creature is the oldest surviving animal species in North America. (Caddo Lake Institute)
With its long protruding bill, this fish was given the scientific name, Polyodon spathula, deriving from the Latin and Greek word for “spatula.”
Commonly known today as the American Paddlefish, this huge aquatic wonder can grow up to 7ft long and 200lbs.
With their large mouths, they feed similarly to whales as the open wide and consume large amounts of tiny plankton-like creatures along the bottom of East Texas waterways.
They can be found in many East Texas rivers, including the Sabine, Neches and Trinity. While a popular hotspot for these slow-moving fish is the wonderous Caddo Lake.
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While being a state threatened species, there are important regulations set in place by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to ensure their survival and growth. If caught, they must be released immediately and it is unlawful to take or kill these fascinating creatures.
Want to see one up close? Make a visit to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens to see one of these ancient fish thriving in their outdoor aquarium area. It’s like watching a real-life dinosaur swimming about!
Its origins, appearance and perseverance make this East Texas animal truly magically, making the American Paddlefish officially our favorite East Texas fish!
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