![Alosa mediocris](https://ncfishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Alosa-mediocris-white-1024x576.png)
Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
Clupeidae | Alosa mediocris | (Mitchill) | 1814 | Hickory Shad |
Unique Characters: Upper margin of lower jaw rises gradually. Mouth superior with tip of lower jaw projecting slightly forward of upper jaw. Usually 18-23 widely spaced gill rakers on first gill arch. Blue-black spot behind upper opercle followed series of dusky spots. Cheek longer than or equal to its depth.
Similar Species:
American Shad
Alosa sapidissima
![](https://ncfishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/alosa-sapidissima_head.jpg)
American Shad Alosa sapidissima. Mouth less oblique and lower jaw does not project beyond upper jaw. Usually 59-76 crowded gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch. Cheek deeper than it is wide.
Blueback Herring
Alosa aestivalis
Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus
![American Shad vs Blueback Herring Jaw](https://ncfishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image-4.png)
Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis and Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus. Upper margin of lower jaw rises sharply.
Gallery