Species: Alosa alabamae, Alabama Shad

Alosa alabamae Jordan & Evermann, 1896

Alabama Shad

Relatively deep bodied, moderately compressed; upper jaw with a distinct central notch into which the lower jaw fits, lower jaw not projecting when mouth is closed, its top edge not rising steeply within mouth; jaw teeth absent; 41-48 slender lower gill rakers, upper rakers long, folding down over lower ones; gill rakers on rear surface of upper part of 3rd gill arch; dorsal fin at about mid-body; pelvic fins (i, 8) below dorsal fin; anal fin short and well behind dorsal fin base; a forked tail fin; all of centerline of belly with keel of scutes (hard, spiny scales); no scutes before dorsal fin; scales smooth, well attached.

Upper back bluey grey, with dark streaks along scale rows, shading to silver below; a vague dark spot behind gill cover of adults; fins clear.

Reaches 61 cm.

Coastal pelagic, enters freshwater and brackish water to spawn.

Depth range: 0-5 m.

The Gulf of Mexico.