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Gizzard Shad

Artwork: Joann Wheeler 1999

Fast Fact:

Gizzard Shad are used as fertilizer, feed or bait fish, but have no real commercial value.              

Distribution Coastal: Mississippi and Atlantic drainages.
Chesapeake Bay: Freshwaters of tributaries to the bay.
Description Last ray of dorsal fin filamentous, upper jaw with deep median notch; upper jaw slightly projecting and bluntly rounded, body deep, abdomen compressed; metallic blue dorsally, silver laterally.
Max. size 20 inches
Food preference Algae and crustaceans
Spawning location Quiet freshwater areas
Spawning period Late spring through early summer, initiated by rapidly rising water level and temperatures.
Egg type Demersal adhesive.

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