Deep compressed body that tapers to a forked tail. Back and upper half of the body may appear gray-blue to olive-green with the sides of the body silver. Scales may form faint horizontal stripes along the length of the body. Dark spot behind the gills. Last ray of dorsal fin long and trailing. The tips of the tail fin may appear dark while the other fins may have a yellow tinge.
Average Maximum Size:
30.5 cm (12 in.)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Atlantic Thread Herring can be distinguished from the Blueback Herring, Atlantic Menhaden, American Shad, and Hickory Shad by the presence of an elongated trailing dorsal fin ray. The Gizzard Shad which also possesses a trailing dorsal ray can be distinguished from the Atlantic Thread Herring by its comparatively deeper body and a lack of black tips on its dorsal and caudal fins as with the Atlantic Thread Herring.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
Maine to Brazil.
Habitat:
Shallow salt and brackish coastal waters within the water column and near the surface. Inhabit the water column at depths between 0 - 50 meters. Some have been observed at depths of 87 meters.
