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Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus
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Photo credit: OAR
Photo credit: US Fish and Wildlife
The herring family, related to the anchovies,
has about 180 species world-wide. Six species are common in
Massachusetts: three species found only in coastal waters
(Hickory Shad, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Menhaden) and
three anadromous species (American Shad, Alewife, and Blueback
Herring). Of these three, two species (Alewife and American
Shad) were found historically in the Assabet River. Alewife
and blueback herring, collectively referred to as river herring,
are relatively small members of the herring family.
Habitat requirements and life
history:
Alewifes and American Shad are similar looking, but the Alewife
are generally smaller (10 -12 inches vs. 17 - 24 inches).
Alewifes are anadromous, spending most of their adult life
in the ocean waters near their natal river and returning to
freshwaters to spawn. In the spring, when water temperatures
reach about 52 degrees (F), schools of Alewife swim upstream
spawning numerous times over several days. They spawn in the
slow-moving, shallow backwaters of streams and in lakes and
then swim back downstream passing other schools on their way
upstream. After hatching, schools of the young herring work
their way slowly downstream. Alewife become sexually mature
in three years and may live up to nine years making the trip
upstream to spawn multiple times in their lives. Adult Alewifes
feed on zooplankton, small fishes, and crustaceans. Young-of-the-year
feed on zooplankton. (Sources: Hartel, Halliwell, and Launer,
2002. "Inland Fishes of Massachusetts")
Also see USFW description (http://www.fws.gov/r5cneafp/herring.htm)
Total length: 10
- 12 inches (range 9 - 15 inches).
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