The Chinese paddlefish, which was one of the largest freshwater fish species, once grew to 7 metres long! Today, this creature has officially been declared extinct.

(Credit: Shutterstock) pic.twitter.com/FdpaScJmJg

— Extinct Animals 🦖🦕 (@Extinct_AnimaIs) January 7, 2020

Experts just declared Chinese paddlefish to be extinct. Once the largest fish inhabiting the longest river in China, it used to be mistaken as a water monster, as shown in this Ming painting (14-16 c). A 10-year fishing ban on the river is now in place, but too late for the fish. pic.twitter.com/pNSZ99JyHJ

— Jin Xu (@xujnx) January 7, 2020