Blueback shad (Alosa aestivalis) fish species and information / pictures of Blueback shad - Alosa aestivalis

Blueback shad (Alosa aestivalis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Alosa aestivalis

Common Name
Blueback shad

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-20; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 21; Vertebrae: 47 - 53. Moderately compressed, belly with distinct keel of scutes. Upper jaw with a distinct notch; lower jaw rising steeply within mouth; minute teeth present at front of jaws (disappearing with age). Lower gill rakers 41 to 52 (fewer in fishes under 10 cm standard length), slender. Back dark blue, sometimes bluish-grey; a dark spot on shoulder (Ref. 188). Peritoneum black (Ref. 7251). Branchiostegal rays 7 (Ref. 4639).

Classification

Classified By
Mitchill, 1814
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Herrings (Clupeiformes)
Family
Herrings, shads and sardines (Clupeidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia south to the St. John's River, Florida; also in lower parts of rivers.
Range
41°N - 25°N, 84°W - 60°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
5 m
Depth To - meters
55 m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 5 - 55 m (Ref. 5951)
Trophic Level
3.6 s.e. 0.31 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
40.0 cm
Common Length
27.5 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: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.18; tm=4; Fec=45,800)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated