Allis shad belong to the herring family living most of their life in seawater but migrating to freshwater to spawn. They mature at 3-6 years of age and migrate many hundreds of kilometers upstream into their natal river to spawn. Spawning occurs during spring months in the main river and major tributaries in shallow waters over gravel substrate. The adults usually die after spawning. Allis shad larvae hatch within 4-5 days after spawning, spend the summer in freshwater, and migrate into the river estuaries during autumn. Before they complete their first year of life they migrate back into the ocean.
Picture: Life cycle of allis shad [ Enlarge Picture ]
Allis shad aggregate at the spawning grounds in the evening. They perform their "love dances" during warm May nights with wild splashing at the water surface. Eggs and sperm are released and the fertilized eggs drift away with the current.
Photo: Bagliniere & Elie (2000); The "love dance" of allis shads [ Enlarge Photo ]
