Gizzard Shad

Gizzard Shad

Dorosoma cepadianum
(Clupeidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

These young gizzard shad were about 2 1/2 inches long. They were photographed in the flooded floodplain of Fontenelle Forest during early August 2011. They are identified by their dark spot behind the upper end of their gill covers. The adults, one shown in image “D” having been snagged by a Double-crested Cormorant, grow to 20 inches or longer and can weigh 4 pounds or more.

The Nebraska Game and Parks pamphlet on Common Fishes of Nebraska gives their range as statewide. But this species had not been seen or photographed recently at either of our two nature centers.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.