Gizzard Shad, Dorosoma cepedianum
Physical Description:
� Small, inferior mouth
� Last dorsal fin ray very long
� Large scales
� Scale rows along the back irregularly arranged
� Reduced scales extend on to the base of the tail fin
� Deep, compressed body
� Small head, blunt snout
� Eye with an adipose eyelid
� Young have a row of fine teeth on the upper jaw, which is absent in the adult
� Small dorsal fin with the origin slightly behind the pelvic fin origin
� Deeply forked tail fin
� Anal fin long with concave edge
� Small pelvic fins
� Back is bluish, olive, or brown
� Upper side has blue to purple iridescences, sometimes with 6-8 dark stripes
� Shoulder spot purple to brown-colored, equal to or slightly larger than the eye socket
Similar species:
� Threadfin Shad (Dorosoma petenense)
Mean body size:
� Adults are 175-350 mm total length
Habitat:
� Inhabit fresh and brackish waters, in reservoirs, lakes, estuaries, and occasionally marine waters
� Occurs over variety of substrates; tolerant of silted bottoms
Distribution in VA:
� Stocked in many of Virginia's reservoirs as a forage food for sportfish
� Native to the Atlantic slope drainage
� Found in the Tennessee drainages as well
Food Habits:
� As filter feeders, they consume plankton, microcrustaceans, and protozoans
Reproductive Habits:
� Spawn from April to June, but varies with regions
� Spawning occurs in groups near the surface during the day
� Fish roll about as a mass ejecting eggs and sperm into the water column
� Heavy post-spawning mortality occurs
� Eggs are on the bottom and adhere to objects in the water
� Fecundity is 22,400-543,910 eggs per female
Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
� A forage fish that is stocked as a prey base for gamefish
� Used as bait for catfish and striped bass
References:
Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):
|
Continue Browsing Families.....
-
Petromyzontidae, Lampreys
-
Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
-
Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
-
Lepisosteidae, Gars
-
Amiidae, Bowfins
-
Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
-
Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
-
Ictaluridae, Catfish
-
Percopsidae, Trout-Perches
-
Salmonidae, Trouts
-
Clupeidae, Herrings
-
Esocidae, Pikes
-
Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
-
Umbridae, Mudminnows
-
Fundulidae, Killifishes
-
Poeciliidae, Livebearers
-
Cyprinidae, Minnows
-
Catostomidae, Suckers
-
Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
-
Atherinidae, Silversides
-
Cottidae, Sculpins
-
Sciaenidae, Drums
-
Percidae, Perches
-
Moronidae, Striped Basses
-
Centrarchidae, Sunfishes
|
|