Scientific Name
Alosa kessleri
Common Name
Caspian anadromous shad
Biology
Pelagic at sea, found in a wide variety of habitats. Migrates to middle reaches of large rivers, spawning close to shores in main channel and in almost still water bodies such as river bays and eddies and flood plains, at 4-5 years. Enters rivers with unripe gonads. Some spawn 2-4 seasons with most females dying after spawning. Spawners appear along the coast in March to April, entering rivers April to May when temperature reach about 9?C, peaking at 12-15?C. Duration of spawning originally lasting 30-50 days; it starts in may to August when temperature rises above 15?C and lasts as long as it remains at 15-23?C; it is most intensive between 4-10 p.m. Eggs are bathypelagic. Spent individuals return back to the sea to feed. In autumn, the fish move to the southern part of the sea to overwinter. Juveniles migrate to the sea or estuarine during the first su