Alosa pseudoharengus

Alosa pseudoharengus
Alewife – Alosa pseudoharengus
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ClupeidaeAlosa pseudoharengus(Wilson)1811Alewife

Unique Characters:  Upper margin of lower jaw rises sharply. Back blue-green. Usually a pale peritoneum. Larger eye, diameter greater than snout length. Usually 39-41 gill rakers on first gill arch.

Similar Species:

Blueback Herring
Alosa aestivalis

Alosa aestivalis
Blueback Herring – Alosa aestivalis

Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis. 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.

American Shad
Alosa sapidissima
Hickory Shad
Alosa mediocris

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

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

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