Alosa aestivalis

Blueback Herring - Alosa aestivalis
Blueback Herring – Alosa aestivalis
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ClupeidaeAlosa aestivalis(Mitchill)1814Blueback Herring

Alosa aestivalis

Unique Characters:  Upper margin of lower jaw rises sharply. Bluish back. Usually one dark spot behind upper edge of the opercle. Black peritoneum. Diameter of the eye is equal to or less than the length of the snout. Usually 44-50 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch.

Similar Species:

Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus

Alosa pseudoharengus
Alewife – Alosa pseudoharengus

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus. Back blue-green.  Usually a pale peritoneum.  Larger eye, diameter greater than snout length.  Usually 39-41 gill rakers on first gill arch.

Hickory Shad
Alosa mediocris
American Shad
Alosa sapidissima

American Shad vs Blueback Herring Jaw
American Shad vs Blueback Herring Jaw

Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris and American Shad Alosa sapidissima. Upper margin of lower jaw rises gradually. Usually multiple spots behind the opercle.

Gallery