Twaite shad

D-Finte; GB-Twaite shad, twait shad; DK-Stamsild; PL-Parposz; LT-Perpelė; LV-Palede; EST-Vintaloosa; RU-Финта; FIN-Täpläsilli; S-Staksill

Characters

1) Mouth opening reaches up to the height of the caudal edge of eye.
2) Operculum with stripe-pattern.
3) 6 to 10 black spots on the side.
●) Abdomen has slight keel.
●) Mouth slightly superior (lower jaw overlaps maxilla).
●) 40 to 60 hooks on the gill rakers and 60 to 65 scales in the lateral line.
Often about 40 cm length, max. up to 60 cm length and 1,5 kg weight.

Similar species

Allis shad - 1-6 black spots on flank; 90-120 gill rakers; 70-80 scales in lateral series.

Herring - mouth shorter: not reaching posterior margin of eye.

Sprat - mouth shorter: not reaching posterior margin of eye.

Biology

Lives in stocks in coastal waters; for spawning they migrate into esturaries or upstream. After spawning they return back to Sea. Eggs and later on the young fish remain in fresh water until they reach a length of about 5 to 10 cm.

Diet

Feeds on zooplankton, often smaller crustaceans and their larvae, but also smaller fish.

Importance

In former times some commercial use, today only used locally in some areas of the Mediterranean Sea.

Endangerment

Due to water pollution and constructions strong decline of stocks.