gizzard shad

fish

Also known as: Dorosoma

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) is a forage fish native to eastern and central North America. It is also known as hickory shad or fall herring.12

Gizzard shads belong to the genus Dorosoma and inhabit both marine and freshwater environments. They are characterized by a muscular stomach and filamentous last dorsal fin rays. While other types of shad are valued as food fish, gizzard shads are not of significant economic importance.2

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shad
The gizzard shads (Dorosoma), of both marine waters and freshwaters, have a muscular stomach and filamentous last dorsal fin rays. The Atlantic species (D. cepedianum), also called hickory shad and fall herring, ranges through the southern United States. Others are found in the Indo-Pacific and Australian…
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The gizzard shads (Dorosoma), of both marine waters and freshwaters, have a muscular stomach and filamentous last dorsal fin rays. The Atlantic species (D. cepedianum), also called hickory shad and fall herring, ranges through the southern United States. Others are found in the Indo-Pacific and Australian…
Read More