How to Identify Black Sea Shad

To identify Black Sea Shad (Alosa immaculata), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Silvery flanks, darker blue-green to greyish-blue dorsal surface, and a white belly. Often has a single, sometimes faint, dark spot behind the operculum, occasionally followed by a few smaller spots in a row.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Deep, compressed body, Large, deciduous scales, Single dark spot behind the operculum (variable), Absence of teeth on the vomer in adults, Relatively large eyes, Forked caudal fin

Dorsal fin

Single, short-based dorsal fin located mid-body, typically with 15-19 soft rays.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin, characteristic of fast-swimming pelagic fish.

Pectoral fin

Relatively small, positioned low on the body, with 13-16 rays.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are abdominal, located well behind the pectoral fins. Anal fin is long-based, with 19-25 soft rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape and Coloration

   Look for a deep, compressed, silvery body with a darker back. The overall appearance is sleek and streamlined.

2. 2

   Opercular Spot

   Check for a distinct, though sometimes faint, dark spot immediately behind the upper part of the gill cover (operculum). This is a key feature, though its presence and intensity can vary.

3. 3

   Scale Size

   The scales are relatively large and easily detached (deciduous), a common characteristic of Alosa species.

4. 4

   Fin Ray Counts

   For precise identification, especially from similar species, fin ray counts (e.g., dorsal, anal) can be diagnostic, though this requires careful examination.

Explore Black Sea Shad