American gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) fish species and information / pictures of American gizzard shad - Dorosoma cepedianum

American gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) fish species information

Scientific Name
Dorosoma cepedianum

Common Name
American gizzard shad

Biology
Occur mainly in freshwater in large rivers, reservoirs, lakes, swamps, temporary floodwater pools, etc., but adults also found in brackish or saline water of estuaries or bays, preferring quieter open waters. Juveniles are found in great abundance well upstream from brackish water (Ref. 39041). Very young individuals apparently never enter brackish water (Ref. 38947). Larvae are most abundant in surface waters both day and night (Ref. 4639). A herbivorous filter-feeder almost entirely. Breed near the surface in freshwater from late winter (mid-March) through most of the summer (at least to about mid-August). The adhesive eggs sink. Used to some extent as fertilizer and cattle food (Ref. 188).

Classification

Classified By

Lesueur, 1818

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Herrings (Clupeiformes)

Family

Herrings, shads and sardines (Clupeidae)

Distribution

Region

Northwest Atlantic

Distribution

Northwest Atlantic: North America and Gulf of Mexico drainage (southeast South Dakota and central Minnesota, Great Lakes drainage, i.e. in Lake Erie, southern parts of Lakes Huron and Michigan, Lake Ontario basin; not Lake Superior; southernmost New York southward to the Mississippi system and to Gulf southward to R?o P?nuco, Mexico.

Range

45°N - 24°N, 100°W - 70°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

32 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

33 m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 33 m (Ref. 39020)

Trophic Level

2.4 s.e. 0.21 Based on food items.

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

57.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (30 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2; tmax=6)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated