Gizzard shad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gizzard shad |
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Nematalosa
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N. nasus
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| Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795)
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The Bloch's gizzard shad (Nematalosa nasus) is a common fish. It has many other names. Some call it the gizzard shad or hairback. Other names include long-finned gizzard shad and thread-finned gizzard shad.
This fish is small to medium-sized. It lives in many different types of water. You can find it in the ocean, fresh water, and brackish water. It is found across the Indo-West Pacific region. This area stretches from the Andaman Sea to the Philippines. It also reaches up to the Korean peninsula. One fish was even recorded near South Africa! Marcus Elieser Bloch first described this fish in 1795.
About the Bloch's Gizzard Shad
The Bloch's gizzard shad can swim quite deep. It has been found at depths of up to 30 meters. The longest one ever measured was 22 centimeters long. This is about the length of a standard ruler.
What It Looks Like
You can tell this fish apart from similar species. It has a dark spot right behind its gill opening. Its belly has special scales called scutes. There are usually 17 to 20 scutes near its head. It also has 9 to 13 scutes closer to its tail. The fish has soft rays in its fins. It has 15 to 19 rays in its dorsal fin. Its anal fin has 17 to 26 soft rays.
What It Eats
The Bloch's gizzard shad is a filter feeder. This means it strains tiny bits of food from the water. It mainly eats plankton. Plankton are very small plants and animals that float in the water.
How People Use It
This fish is often caught and eaten by people. It is a popular food fish. People use it to make fish balls. You can eat the Bloch's gizzard shad fresh. It is also enjoyed in its dried form.
