Distribution

The Chinese Paddlefish was endemic to the Yangtze River basin in China, the longest river in Asia. Its historical range extended throughout the main stem of the river and into some of its larger tributaries and connected lakes, such as Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake. The fish undertook long-distance migrations, with distinct spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the river and feeding areas in the lower and middle sections.

The construction of dams, most notably the Gezhouba Dam and the Three Gorges Dam, fragmented this vast habitat. These structures blocked the paddlefish's migratory routes, separating the adult fish in the lower river from their critical spawning grounds upstream. This fragmentation is considered the primary driver of the species' decline and eventual extinction, effectively shrinking its world until it vanished completely.