294 Gizzard Shad, Common Anchovy 



Gizzard Shad 

 Dorosoma cepedianum (LeSueur) 



Color: Metallic blue above; sides and belly silvery. 

 Distribution: Found in coastal fresh and brackish waters 

 from Cape Cod to Texas. Also occurs landlocked in 

 ponds and lakes, including the Great Lakes. 

 Size: Maximum length about 15 inches. 

 General Information: Not common north of Virginia. Lives 

 mostly in fresh and brackish water and is seldom found in 

 salt water. The Gizzard Shad feeds on small animals and 

 plants which it picks up from the bottom. Spawning takes 

 place in early summer. 



Economic Importance: A bony species of little commercial 

 value. It is an important food for many other fishes. 



Common Anchovy 

 Anchoa mitchilli (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 



:® 



Color: Body silvery, translucent, A poorly defined silver 



band, narrower than the eye, running the length of the 



body. 



Distribution: Occurs from Maine to Yucatan. Rare north 



of Cape Cod. 



Size: Reaches a length of about 4 inches. 



General Information: Commonly found in large schools in 



shallow waters along the shores. Sometimes it ascends into 



fresh-water streams. Spawns from May to August. The 



