Alewife - Alosa pseudoharengus
Gizzard Shad - Dorosoma cepedianum
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Alewife- Alosa pseudoharengus
Alewife
Scientific Name: Alosa pseudoharengus
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 10 inches, rarely to 15 inches
Diet: Zooplankton, shrimp, small crustaceans, small fish, and fish eggs
Distribution sampling sites: Map
Alewife are anadromous, living in salt and brackish water as adults and swimming to freshwater to spawn.
Gizzard Shad - Dorosoma cepedianum
Gizzard Shad
Scientific Name: Dorosoma cepedianum
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 14 inches, rarely larger
Diet: Plankton
Distribution sampling sites: Map
Gizzard shad are filter feeders that strain plankton from the water column. They are inhabitants of medium to large rivers and lakes. The few individuals collected by Fairfax County have been below lakes and near the Potomac River.