Allis shad

Allis Shad (Alosa alosa) is a species of fish in the family Clupeidae, which is native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is also known as the allis shad or simply allis.

Description

The allis shad is a large, silvery fish that can reach lengths of up to 75 cm and weights of up to 2 kg. It has a streamlined body with a deeply forked tail and a single dorsal fin. The scales are large and easily shed. The mouth is large and the lower jaw protrudes slightly. The allis shad is distinguished from other shads by its larger size and the absence of a row of sharp teeth along the belly.

Distribution and habitat

The allis shad is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to Morocco, and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a pelagic fish, living in the open ocean, but it migrates to freshwater rivers to spawn. The allis shad prefers warm, shallow waters and is often found near the surface.

Life cycle

The allis shad is an anadromous species, meaning it migrates from the sea into freshwater rivers to spawn. Spawning occurs in the spring and early summer, with females laying up to 200,000 eggs. The eggs are buoyant and drift downstream, hatching after about one week. The larvae then drift back to the sea, where they grow into adults.

Conservation status

The allis shad is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, populations have declined in some areas due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss.