Caspian shad

fish

Also known as: Alosa caspia

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

Caspian shad are saltwater food fish belonging to the herring family (Clupeidae) that migrate up rivers to spawn. They are found in the Black and Caspian seas and are part of the genus Alosa. These fish have a distinctive deep body and a notch in their upper jaw. While young Caspian shad have teeth, adults do not. Some populations of Caspian shad remain in the southern Caspian Sea year-round, while others undertake long migrations from wintering grounds to northern spawning areas. These migrations can sometimes involve moving against currents.12

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clupeiform
Migration
Some forms of the Caspian shad (Alosa caspia) remain year-round in the southern region of the Caspian Sea, while others move long distances from winter habitats in southern parts to spawning grounds in the northern region of the Caspian.
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Some forms of the Caspian shad (Alosa caspia) remain year-round in the southern region of the Caspian Sea, while others move long distances from winter habitats in southern parts to spawning grounds in the northern region of the Caspian.
Read More