Missouri State Aquatic Animal

Paddlefish or Spoonbill

(Polyodon spathula)

Adopted on May 23, 1997.

The paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, became Missouri's official aquatic animal on May 23, 1997. Only three rivers in Missouri support substantial populations of the paddlefish; the Mississippi, Missouri and the Osage. They are also present in some of the state's larger lakes. The paddlefish is primitive, with a cartilage skeleton, rather than bone. They commonly exceed five feet in length and weights of 60 pounds; 20-year olds are common and some live 30 years or more. (RSMo 10.130)

Description of the Missouri State Aquatic Animal

Paddlefish are one of the largest, native freshwater fishes in North America, attaining lengths of more than six feet (1.8 m) and weights of more than 100 pounds (45.5 kg). In South Dakota, a paddlefish weighing more than 140 pounds (63.6 kg) was caught and released by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks fisheries research biologists. Paddlefish (also called spoonbill) are an ancient creature getting their name from the paddle-shaped rostrum or bill, that is often up to one-third their entire body length. Paddlefish have a large, toothless mouth on the underside of their head and skin without scales, except for a patch near the tail fin.

The tail is deeply forked with the upper lobe longer than the lower. Their skeleton is mostly cartilage, with the most bone-like material found in the head. Adult paddlefish have extremely small eyes in proportion to their body size. Paddlefish color varies from bluish-gray to almost black on their dorsal surface to white on their ventral side.

Statute

Missouri Revised Statutes

TITLE II
SOVEREIGNTY, JURISDICTION AND EMBLEMS
August 28, 2008
Paddlefish state aquatic animal.
10.130. The paddlefish or spoonbill, scientifically designated as Polyodon spathula, is hereby selected for, and shall be known as, the official aquatic animal of the state of Missouri.

(L. 1997 H.B. 700)

Taxonomic Hierarchy of the Paddlefish or Spoonbill