Black sea shad (Alosa maeotica) fish species and information / pictures of Black sea shad - Alosa maeotica

Black sea shad (Alosa maeotica) fish species information

Scientific Name
Alosa maeotica

Common Name
Black sea shad

Biology
Non-anadromous, entering limans and lower parts of river deltas, but only occasionally in freshwater. A cold-loving species, tolerating 3 or 4?C.(Ref. 188). At sea, pelagic in deep water and enters brackish lagoons to spawn. Spawns first at 2 years and many individuals spawn 2-4 seasons. Eggs sink to bottom. Spent individuals return to the sea to feed. In autumn, migrates to southern Black Sea to overwinter. Juveniles migrate to the sea or estuaries during the first summer (Ref. 59043). Feeds mainly on small fishes (mainly sprats and anchovies) also on shrimps, gammarids and other large crustaceans (Ref. 188). It is still more or less abundant in lower reaches of rivers and coastal lagoons, In northern Black Sea, the decline in habitat quality in suitable estuarine ecosystems is expected to have an impact in the immediate future (Ref. 59043).

Classification

Classified By
Grimm, 1901
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Herrings (Clupeiformes)
Family
Herrings, shads and sardines (Clupeidae)

Distribution

Region
Eurasia
Distribution
Eurasia: Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
Range
48°N - 40°N, 27°E - 43°E

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic
Trophic Level
4.05 s.e. 0.71 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
31.0 cm
Common Length
18.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=6)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)