North African Shad

Alosa algeriensis, the North African shad, is a Mediterranean species of clupeid fish in the shad genus Alosa.^[2]

Location

Alosa algeriensis is primarily found in the Mediterranean Sea from northern Morocco to northern Tunisia.^[2] They are also found in Sardinia, Italy with landlocked populations in Lake Ichkeul, Tunisia and Sardinia, Italy.^[2]

Biology and life cycle

Alosa algeriensis males will begin upriver migration at about 3–4 years old while females do not begin until about 4–5 years old.^[2] The juveniles migrate to the mouth of rivers until they mature.^[2] Once temperatures rise above 20 degrees Celsius, they will begin their spawn.^[2] Mortality usually occurs after spawning.^[2] Mortality after spawning is very common in species of the genus Alosa. This is primarily around the month of May.^[2]

References