Alosa alabamae
Jordan and Evermann 1896
Family Clupeidae

Lateral view of an Alabama shad
The Alabama shad pictured above was collected in Gulf County, Florida in 2015. It is now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 238451. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The Alabama shad is a member of the herring family. This species lacks teeth on the jaws, and its cheek is deeper than it is long. Alabama shad have between 42 and 48 rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch of the adult. This is a marine species that lives along the Gulf Coast and ascends rivers during its spawning season.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
  • River Drainages — Escambia River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River and the Suwannee River
View species in collection database New gallery search

Similar Species