Alosa sapidissima

Alosa sapidissima
American Shad – Alosa sapidissima
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CluepeidaeAlosa sapidissima(Wilson)1811American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Unique Characters: 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.

Similar Species:

Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus

Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis

Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris

Alosa pseudoharengus
Alewife – Alosa pseudoharengus

Alosa aestivalis
Blueback Herring – Alosa aestivalis
Alosa mediocris
Hickory Shad – Alosa mediocris – Neuse

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.

Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris. 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

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