Alabama shad facts for kids
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The Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae) is a special type of fish found only in the United States. It lives in medium to large rivers, from the Mississippi River all the way to the Suwannee River in Florida. You can also find it in some rivers along the Gulf Coast.
This fish is becoming quite rare. Not much is known about its life, but experts are worried. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is "data deficient" because there isn't enough information about it. The United States National Marine Fisheries Service also calls it a "Species of Concern." A big reason for its decline is that many dams and locks block its path to areas where it needs to lay its eggs.
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Where the Alabama Shad Lives
The Alabama shad lays its eggs in medium to large rivers. These rivers stretch from the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River in Florida. You can also find them in some rivers along the Gulf Coast. However, they are thought to have disappeared from rivers west of the Pascagoula River in Mississippi.
How the Alabama Shad Lives
Alabama shad are a schooling species. This means they like to swim together in large groups. They often choose cooler water temperatures in their habitats. Young Alabama shad stay in fresh water for about six to eight months. During this time, they eat small fish and tiny water creatures called invertebrates.
About the Alabama Shad's Life
Scientists do not know a lot about the life of the Alabama shad. They usually lay their eggs when the water temperature is around 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. This happens in rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Male shad seem to weigh less than females. Like many other fish in the Alosa family, the Alabama shad often dies after it lays its eggs.
Protecting the Alabama Shad
The Alabama shad was once very common. It was so common that people used to catch them for food in places like Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky. But now, this fish is rare in many of the places it used to live. Scientists believe the main reason for its decline is the many dams and locks on rivers. These structures block the fish from reaching their spawning areas. They also change how the rivers flow and what the river bottom is like.
The Alabama shad is a "Species of Concern" for the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. This means the U.S. government is worried about the fish. However, there isn't enough information yet to list it as an endangered species. In 2010, some groups asked for the fish to be listed as threatened or endangered. In 2013, the National Marine Fisheries Service began looking into the fish's status.
The IUCN Red List says the Alabama shad is a "Data Deficient" species. This means there is not enough information to know how many are left. The American Fisheries Society says it is a threatened species. Its NatureServe conservation status is "Imperiled," which means it is in danger.
- Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Alosa alabamae. FishBase. 2015.
See also
In Spanish: Alosa alabamae para niños
