Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Gadiformes
- Family
- Clupeidae
- Genus
- Alosa
- Species
- fallax
Habitat
Twaite shad primarily inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers in the Northeast Atlantic, preferring brackish environments for much of their life. They are anadromous, migrating from the sea to freshwater rivers for spawning, and are commonly found in areas with moderate currents and sandy or gravelly substrates.
Diet
Adult twaite shad feed mainly on zooplankton, small fish, and crustaceans, using filter-feeding techniques or actively pursuing prey. They are opportunistic feeders, often consuming whatever is abundant in their pelagic environment, with feeding most active during dawn and dusk.
Behavior
Twaite shad are schooling fish that form large groups for protection and migration, exhibiting strong migratory behavior from marine to freshwater environments. They are primarily nocturnal feeders and active swimmers, but show less territorial behavior outside of spawning grounds. During spawning, they can become more aggressive in defending egg-laying sites.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.