Where Does Hilsa Shad Live?

Hilsa Shad lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Hilsa Shad

Water type

brackish

Depth

Primarily pelagic in marine and estuarine environments, but can be found in various depths during riverine migration, typically in the water column.

Environment

Anadromous species, spending most of its adult life in marine coastal waters and estuaries, migrating to freshwater rivers (e.g., Ganges, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy) for spawning. Juveniles spend time in freshwater before migrating to the sea.

Geographic range

Indo-Pacific region, primarily found in the coastal waters and rivers of South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and extending to Vietnam and China.

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