American shad
Quick Summary
The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a saltwater food fish belonging to the herring family, known for its anadromous behavior—swimming up rivers to spawn. This species, native to the Atlantic coast of North America, has greenish backs and silvery sides. Adults are toothless, and while their flesh is considered good eating, it is bony. Their eggs, or roe, are a delicacy in the United States.123
Introduced to the Pacific Ocean in 1871, the American shad now ranges from San Diego to British Columbia. These fish are migratory plankton eaters, can reach up to 75 cm (30 inches) in length, and are considered a good game fish. Young shad hatch in 6 to 15 days, enter the sea in the fall, and mature in about three years.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.