92 



XOKTIIERN FISHES 



t^»f*«fc. 



*^^^Md_ 



Figure 8. Gizzard shad. Doroaoma cepedianum, 6 inches long. 



the Lower Mississippi they are exceedingly abundant and are regarded 

 as a nuisance by fishermen. They have httle food value but are im- 

 portant as forage fishes, providing food for many game fishes. Dr. C. L. 

 Hubbs states in a letter that they are sold for food in Washington, D.C. 



Gizzard shad frequently travel in schools close to t|ie surface and 

 when surprised will skip over the surface of the water. This habit has 

 caused local fishermen to apply the name skipjack to this species, 

 though this name is applied to two other entirely different species (see 

 pages 90, 245) . 



They secure their food by straining it from the water with their fine 

 gill-rakers. They commonly feed on the small organisms composing 

 the plankton and at times must secure their food close to the bottom 

 because their stomachs often contain much mud. They feed on mate- 

 rial not utilized extensively by other fishes and so serve as a natural 

 means of converting this waste matter into food for highly prized 

 game fishes. 



