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. 

Alewife American Shad Blueback Gizzard Shad 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