Alosa mediocris

Alosa mediocris
Hickory Shad – Alosa mediocris – Neuse
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CluepeidaeAlosa mediocris(Mitchill)1814Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Unique Characters: Lower jaw not rising steeply within mouth. Jaw teeth present. Gill rakers on lower limb of anterior arch less than 25. Lower jaw projecting beyond upper when mouth closed. Upper jaw with deep median notch. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Predorsal scales along dorsal midline normal, not enlarged and fringed. Other scales with smooth posterior margins. 8 branched pelvic-fin rays

Similar Species:

Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus

Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis

American Shad Alosa sapidissima

Alosa pseudoharengus
Alewife – Alosa pseudoharengus

Alosa aestivalis
Blueback Herring – Alosa aestivalis
Alosa sapidissima
American Shad – Alosa sapidissima

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus. Lower jaw rising steeply within mouth. Peritoneum silvery to pale grey. Dorsum greyish green. Eye diameter greater than snout length. Upper jaw with deep median notch. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Predorsal scales along dorsal midline normal, not enlarged and fringed. Other scales with smooth posterior margins. 8 branched pelvic-fin rays.

Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis. Lower jaw rising steeply within mouth. Peritoneum sooty or black. Dorsum distinctly blue. Eye diameter less than snout length. Upper jaw with deep median notch. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Predorsal scales along dorsal midline normal, not enlarged and fringed. Other scales with smooth posterior margins. 8 branched pelvic-fin rays.

American Shad Alosa sapidissima. Lower jaw not rising steeply within mouth. Jaw teeth minute or absent in adults. Gill rakers on lower limb of anterior arch more than 30. Lower jaw not projecting beyond upper when mouth closed. Upper jaw with deep median notch. Last dorsal-fin ray not filamentous. Predorsal scales along dorsal midline normal, not enlarged and fringed. Other scales with smooth posterior margins. 8 branched pelvic-fin rays.

Gallery