Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Info
Alosa sapidissima is a pelagic, coastal, migratory species that uses riverine habitats for spawning.
Larvae spend their first 3 to 4 months in riverine areas during the summer and migrate to the sea in the fall. Juveniles form schools and gradually migrate downstream
Adults reside in marine waters except during the spawning season and spend most of their lives in the sea while returning to freshwater rivers to spawn (. Non-spawning adults are found in shoals near the surface of continental shelf waters in spring, summer, and fall and are also found in brackish water
Spawning occurs in a variety of habitats, such as river reaches up to 480 km upstream, but this is now often impeded by dams.
The American shad is fished commercially and is a popular sport fish.
Synonyms:
Alosa praestabilis DeKay, 1842
Clupea indigena Mitchill, 1814
Clupea sapidissima Wilson, 1811
Larvae spend their first 3 to 4 months in riverine areas during the summer and migrate to the sea in the fall. Juveniles form schools and gradually migrate downstream
Adults reside in marine waters except during the spawning season and spend most of their lives in the sea while returning to freshwater rivers to spawn (. Non-spawning adults are found in shoals near the surface of continental shelf waters in spring, summer, and fall and are also found in brackish water
Spawning occurs in a variety of habitats, such as river reaches up to 480 km upstream, but this is now often impeded by dams.
The American shad is fished commercially and is a popular sport fish.
Synonyms:
Alosa praestabilis DeKay, 1842
Clupea indigena Mitchill, 1814
Clupea sapidissima Wilson, 1811
