Species: Alosa chrysochloris, Skipjack Herring, Skipjack Shad

Alosa chrysochloris (Rafinesque, 1820)

Skipjack Herring, Skipjack Shad

Moderately deep bodied (body depth < head length), moderately compressed; upper jaw with a distinct central notch into which the lower jaw fits; upper edge of lower jaw not rising steeply within mouth; lower jaw projecting when mouth is closed; teeth at front of jaws; 20-24 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 deep blue-green, abruptly light green below, shading to white on belly; no dark spot behind gill cover of adults; fins clear to pale yellow; tail tips dark.

Reaches 60 cm.

Coastal pelagic, enters freshwater and brackish water to spawn.

Depth range: 0-5 m.

The Gulf of Mexico.