Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus
Summary 2
Family: Clupeidae
Alewives(Alosa pseudoharengus) are possibly native to Lake Ontario, but spread to the rest of the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal. They became incredibly abundant and experienced mass die-offs, resulting in millions of dead fish washing up on beaches. Their numbers are lower now, and die-offs are far less frequent and smaller in magnitude. Eat plankton and smaller organisms, including larval fishes. Alewives in turn are the favorite food of salmons. Have had a significantly negative impact on native fishes.
How to recognize: Very thin. Serrations along the belly look like a saw’s teeth. Dark blotch behind the head. An elongated scale above the fin along the belly. Does NOT have a filament extending from the fin on the back. Mouth is upturned. Up to 10 inches /25 centimeters long.
Fuentes y créditos
- (c) alavire, todos los derechos reservados
- (c) alavire, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC)
