Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
(Fertilized Egg)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1011 Iowa Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 338 670
411
709
Details
Eggs, which are expelled from the body in ribbonlike masses sink to the
bottom or drift in the current. Eggs readily adhere to submerged vegeta-
tion, rocks, or any objects they contact.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1013 Ohio Phys. Assoc. Optimum 702 670
Details
Optimal habitat for survival of an embryo in tributary streams is a
continuous flow of fresh, clear water over shallow, rocky riffles. The
bottom is covered with periphyton providing ample surface area for egg
attachment.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1017 Temperature Limit 26.7°C 634 670
Details
The recommended maximum temperature suitable for spawning and
embryo development is 26.7°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1018 Temperature Example 705 670
Details
Modal hatching times are 32 hours at 23°C, 73 hours at 18°C, and 106
hours at 15°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1019 Temperature Example 713 670
Details
An incubation period of 95 hours at the minimum hatching temperature of
16.7°C and 36 hours at 26.7°C was reported.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
Lake Erie (Juvenile)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
676 Pred/Prey Example 493 111
Details
YOY walleye at the extreme western end of Lake Erie displayed their size
preference by consuming alewives and gizzard shad during the summer. They
changed to rainbow smelt in the autumn when alewives and shad became too
large.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
(Juvenile)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
183 South Dakota Ice Limit 273 109
Details
No overwintering of young shad was observed when ice cover exceeded
103 days in South Dakota. Survival was noted when ice cover lasted 88,
101, and 103 days.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
195 Tennessee Movement Characteristic 385 109
Details
YOY school, but schooling behavior is developed little after the first year
in Norris Reservoir.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
196 Minnesota Movement Example 294 109
Details
Gizzard shad migrated into small streams in Minnesota during a mild winter.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
198 Pred/Prey Characteristic 109 -
Details
Gizzard shad food is mostly phytoplankton and zooplankton after the first
few weeks of life.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
472 Arizona Pred/Prey Example 255 110
Details
In Bull Shoal's Lake, Arizona, young shad were the major food in summer,
centrarchids and crayfish in late autumn and winter, and mayflies in spring.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
489 Pred/Prey Example 132 110
Details
Rapid growth of bass was associated with abundant young gizzard shad.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
491 ( Pred/Prey Example 138 110
-) Depth Example -
Details)
In reservoirs where gizzard shad are the major forage, age 02 bass grow
slowly. Shad fry are in deeper water and are too big for the bass by the
time shad enter the water occupied by these bass.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
583 Pred/Prey Example 120 110
Details
In feeding experiments, bass at 225275 mm and 315365 mm long preferred
gizzard shad 75100 mm long to those over 125 mm long.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
991 Pred/Prey Characteristic 713 670
342
Details 683
In lakes, young fish (<35 mm total length) feed almost exclusively on 682
zooplankton. 671
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1008 Ohio Temperature Limit 836 670
694
Details 318
YOY are particularly susceptible to mortality caused by sudden or extreme
changes of temperature. Massive winter kills frequently occur in northern
or highaltitude lakes.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1009 New Mexico Temperature Lethal <3.3°C 694 670
Details
Winter dieoffs of gizzard shad have been observed in reservoirs when
temperatures fell below 3.3°C. Although YOY are the most susceptible
to death from these temperatures, older fish also die within a few days if the
temperature is not abated, or if it falls below 2.2°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1022 Movement Example 672 670
Details
Gizzard shad are poor swimmers until they reach a length of ~25 mm
(corresponding to the transition of the juvenile age-class 1.5-2.5 months).
Median swimming speeds attained by gizzard shad <25 mm long were
2-4 cm/s. Maximum speed was 10 cm/s under optimum conditions.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1023 Movement Example 672 670
Details
- Juveniles 25-50 mm long attained speeds up to 23 cm/s.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
(Larva)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
197 Pred/Prey Characteristic 318 283 109
418 315
385
Details 342
During the first few weeks of life, gizzard shad eat mainly protozoa, rotifers, 316
and entomostraca. 284
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
491 - Pred/Prey Example 138 110
- Depth Example -
Details
In reservoirs where gizzard shad are the major forage, age 02 bass grow
slowly. Shad fry are in deeper water and are too big for the bass by the
time shad enter the water occupied by these bass.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
990 Pred/Prey Characteristic 713 670
318
Details 418
For the first few weeks gizzard shad eat mainly protozoans, rotifers, and
entomostraca.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1008 Ohio Temperature Limit 836 670
694
Details 318
The YOY are particularly susceptible to mortality caused by sudden or
extreme changes of temperature. Massive winter kills frequently occur
in northern or highaltitude lakes.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1009 New Mexico Temperature Lethal <3.3°C 694 670
Details
Winter dieoffs of gizzard shad have been observed in reservoirs when
temperatures fell below 3.3°C. Although YOY are the most susceptible
to death from these temperatures, older fish also die within a few
days if the temperature is not abated, or if it falls below 2.2°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1020 Light Characteristic 705 670
Details
Yolksac larvae have either a negative geotaxic or a positive phototaxis
response (or both) that causes them to swim to the surface. Their active
upward swimming and passive downward sinking has the net effect of con-
centrating them away from the substrate and toward the surface.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1021 Beaver Reservoir Turbidity Example 700 670
Details
Larval shad concentrated closer to the surface in turbid areas of a
reservoir than in less turbid areas, where they were at depths of ~5 m.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1025 Louisiana Area of Water Prefer 686 670
Details
Larvae preferred quiet vegetated areas along the river and inundated flood
plain, rather than open-water areas.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1555 Pred/Prey Optimum 1090 1066
Details
Stocked walleye fry exhibited greater survival when there was a high avail-
ability of newly hatched gizzard shad at the time of stocking.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
(Non-spawning Adult)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
154 Texas Salinity Example 3.37% Salt 372 109
Details
Gizzard shad can withstand rapid transfer from fresh water to 3.37% salt water.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
174 Temperature Limit 300 109
Details
Gizzard shad can be acclimatized at 35°C and withstand temperatures to
36.5°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
175 Temperature Limit 318 109
Details
Sudden temperature changes seem to be a cause of mortality.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
198 Pred/Prey Characteristic 109 -
Details
Gizzard shad food is mostly phytoplankton and zooplankton after the
first few weeks of life.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
199 General - 420 109
Details
Gizzard shad was classed as a poor bioassay species because it is difficult
to handle and is very susceptible to injury and disease.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
472 Arizona Pred/Prey Example 255 110
Details
In Bull Shoal's Lake, Arizona, young shad were the major food in summer,
centrarchids and crayfish in late autumn and winter, and mayflies in spring.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
489 Pred/Prey Example 132 110
Details
Rapid growth of bass was associated with abundant young gizzard shad.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
574 Pred/Prey Example 177 110
Details
Low vulnerability of prey limits bass predation. Gizzard shad and threadfin
shad seem to be vulnerable, but are not eliminated by bass predation.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
988 Wisconsin Depth Characteristic 673 670
Area of Water Characteristic 836
701
Details
The gizzard shad is essentially an open-water species, living at or near the
surface.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
989 Depth Tolerate 033 m 684 670
693
Details
- Gizzard shad have been collected at depths <33 m.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
992 Pred/Prey Characteristic 670
Details
Larger fish consume detritus, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and insect larvae
and exuviae.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
993 Area of Water Example 342 670
Pred/Prey Example 1115
Details
Gizzard shad feed in both the limnetic zone and along bottom sediments
as evidenced by plankton and sand in their digestive tracts.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1002 Phys. Assoc. Optimum 318 670
714
Details
Conditions for gizzard shad populations are optimal in warm, fertile,
shallow bodies of water with soft mud bottoms, high turbidity, and
relatively few predators.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1003 Water Level Limit 670
Depth Limit
Clarity Limit
Phys. Assoc. Limit
Details
Moderate to heavy predation by large game species, fluctuating water
levels, deep clear water, and steep shorelines (factors that are less than
optimal for many species) are associated with lower gizzard shad
populations.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1004 Indiana Area of Water Characteristic 689 670
708
Details 677
Gizzard shad are often abundant in large sluggish rivers, impoundments 109
of all sizes (especially those connected with large river systems), lakes, 673
swamps, bayous, and floodwater pools.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1005 Illinois Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 766 670
701
Details
In smaller rivers, gizzard shad are highly associated with permanent, deep,
sluggish pools with soft sand and silt bottoms.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1006 Missouri Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 701 670
694
Details
Gizzard shad have been captured over all types of substrate including mud,
sand, gravel, bedrock, and inundated vegetation.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1007 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 670 -
Details
Gizzard shad are usually consistently found over bottoms of sand, silt, or mud.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1009 New Mexico Temperature Lethal <3.3°C 694 670
Details
Winter dieoffs of gizzard shad have been observed in reservoirs when
temperatures fell below 3.3°C. Although YOY are the most suscep-
tible to death from these temperatures, older fish also die within a
few days if the temperature is not abated, or if it falls below 2.2°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1024 Water Motion Optimum <2.5 cm/s 670
Depth Optimum >1 m
Water Level Optimum
Turbidity Limit <675 mg/l
Details
Three variables were common to areas with the greatest abundance of
gizzard shad larvae: little or no water current <2.5 cm/s, water depth >1 m,
and little or no fluctuation in water level. Siltation of near-shore spawning
and nursery areas and associated increased turbidities of up to 675 mg/l in
the upper end of the reservoir had a negative effect on these habitats.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1026 Indiana Temperature Example - 687 670
Details
Adult gizzard shad frequented areas with temperatures of 22° to 29°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1027 Temperature Limit 34°C 681 670
634
Details
Gizzard shad growth was satisfactory at a maximum temperature of 34°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1028 Indiana Temperature Avoid 35°C 691 670
205
Details 687
Gizzard shad adults normally do not enter water above 35°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1029 Temperature Lethal 36.5°C 205 670
300
Details
Lethal temperatures of 36.5°C have been reported, depending on the
acclimation temperature.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1030 Indiana Temperature Tolerate £37.5°C 703 670
Details
Adult gizzard shad have been found in thermal plumes at temperatures up
to 37.5°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1031 Oklahoma Oxygen Limit <2 mg/l 688 670
Details
In Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma, vertical depth distribution indicated that
gizzard shad were generally absent from water with <2 mg/l DO,
even though it comprised 50%-60% of the total lake volume in some years.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1032 Wisconsin Depth Limit 33 m 673 670
Details
If oxygen is adequate, the species may descend to a depth of 33 m.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1033 Lewis and Clark Depth Characteristic 712 670
Lake
Details
Gizzard shad hibernate in deep water in winter.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1034 Temperature Lethal 11°C 205 670
Details
The lower lethal temperature for gizzard shad was 11°C for fish acclimated
at 25°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1035 Texas Temperature Limit 4°C 683 670
Details
Gizzard shad are known to be able to successfully overwinter at temper-
atures of 4°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1036 Oklahoma Turbidity Example - 709 670
693
Details
High turbidities do not appear to be detrimental to the health of adult
gizzard shad. Instead, catch rates in experimental nets are usually lower
in clear water than in more-turbid water.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1037 Clarity Characteristic 670 -
Details
Adults are commonly captured in areas where Secchi-disk depth is <0.5 m.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1039 Oklahoma Chloride Limit 7,000 ppm 692 670
Chloride Lethal 11,000 ppm
Details
Gizzard shad began dying in Great Salt Plains Reservoir, Oklahoma, when
chloride ion concentration reached ~7,000 ppm. A complete kill occurred
when the concentration rose to ~11,000 ppm.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1135 Pred/Prey Example 821 798
Details
Gizzard shad is probably the best forage fish for esocids, but shad rarely
occur in the muskellunge's native range.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
Lake Erie (Spawning Adult)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
162 Temperature Characteristic 22°C 410 109
Details
In Lake Erie, gizzard shad spawned June 1530 at 22°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
163 Temperature Characteristic >19.5°C 418 109
Details
In Lake Erie, spawning was from early June to early July, usually above
19.5°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1014 Temperature Characteristic 15.5°16.5°C 418 670
693
Details
Initiation of spawning activity usually begins in late March to late June at
15.5°-16.5°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1038 Sandusky Bay Turbidity Example 418 670
Details
Gizzard shad from the more turbid areas of Sandusky Bay were smaller and
spawned earlier than shad from less turbid portions of Lake Erie.
Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
(Spawning Adult)
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
161 Temperature Characteristic 10°21°C 318 109
Details
In the United States, spawning occurs from midMarch to late August with
most spawning in April-June at temperatures of 10°21°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
164 Iowa Temperature Example 21°27°C 338 109
Depth Example Shallow
Light Example
Details
Spawning observed in Iowa (May 8 to June 21) at 21°27°C occurred only in
shallow water in early morning or evening.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
170 Florida General 411 109
Details
Heavy postspawning dieoff may occur.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
994 Movement Example 670
Details
Gizzard shad have no obvious spawning migration patterns.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No. 995 Ohio Water Motion Characteristic 836 670
Depth Characteristic 704
702
Details 673
Spawning occurs principally in low gradient tributaries or ditches. Large
spawning aggregations move upstream, as far as water depths will allow,
to spawn in shallow water.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
996 New Mexico Movement Example 693 670
Details
Spawning aggregations may concentrate at the mouths of the main tributary
streams of a lake.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
997 Oklahoma Water Level Characteristic 678 670
Temperature Characteristic 702
685
Details
Spawning activity has been associated with rapidly rising water levels and
temperature. Low water levels and temperatures during spring and early
summer adversely affect spawning success.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
998 Temperature Requirement >16°C 670 -
Details
Water temperatures of ~16°C apparently provide the spawning stimulus.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No. 999 Oklahoma Light Optimum 704 670
418
Details 698
Spawning activity is greatest in the evening and early night. It declines
markedly during daylight hours.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1000 New Mexico Depth Characteristic £1.5 m 694 670
Details
Although gizzard shad usually spawn in shallow water <1.5 m deep, they
have been observed spawning at the surface of water that is 15 m deep.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1001 Illinois Phys. Assoc. Prefer 706 670
Details
Spawners appeared to prefer recently inundated habitat when it was available.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1010 Phys. Assoc. Prefer 318 670
Details
In lakes, gizzard shad prefer to spawn in protected shallow-water coves and
backwaters along the shoreline, and near the surface in water 0.3-1.6 m deep.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1012 Oklahoma Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 704 670
699
Details
In riverine areas or tributary streams, spawning aggregations collect in large
deep pools. A female, accompanied by several males, swims away from
these aggregations to spawn in nearby shallow water.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1015 Iowa Temperature Limit 27°C 338 670
Details
The maximum reported spawning temperature for gizzard shad is 27°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1016 Temperature Limit 29°C 318 670
Details
The maximum reported spawning temperature for gizzard shad is 29°C.
Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1017 Temperature Limit 26.7°C 634 670
Details
The recommended maximum temperature suitable for spawning and embryo
development is 26.7°C.