American Shad
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Name and Code
Family
Alosidae - shads
Species
Alosa sapidissima
Taxonomic Authority
(Wilson 1811)
Common Name(s)
American Shad
French Name
alose savoureuse
Species Code
062
Family TSN
161700
Parent TSN
161701
Species TSN
161702
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2017-12-27)
National Rank (NRank)
N5B, N4N5N, N5M (2017-12-27)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S1 (2009-02-03)
COSEWIC Status
none
SARO Status
none
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native/introduced
General Abundance
rare
Tolerance
intermediate
Economic Importance
none
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.3994
Slope (b)
3.2255
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
marine
Environment
pelagic
Trophic Class
planktivore
Thermal Regime
coolwater
Habitat Preference
open waters; preferred water temperature range 13-18°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Nonguarders: Open substratum spawners: Pelagophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
riverine
Spawning Season
spring
Spawning Month(s)
May-June
Spawning Temperature (°C)
12-21
Fecundity
58,534-390,633
Nursery Habitat(s)
riverine; estuarine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
35.5-55.6 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.5-1.8
Age at Maturity (yrs)
3-5 (m); 4-6 (f)
Maximum Length (cm)
76.2 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
6.8
Lifespan (yrs)
8-13
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
54.0 TL
Record Weight (kg)
none
Ontario Range Map
American Shad range
Ontario Distribution
annual spawning migration into the lower Ottawa River; attempted introduction to Lake Ontario failed, last reported in 1931
Photographs
American Shad photograph
American Shad photograph
Notes
anadromous life strategy
Information Sources
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