| Main Ref. | Whitehead, P.J.P., 1985 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | |
| Spawning frequency | one clear seasonal peak per year |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Yes. Ref. Morrow, J.E., 1980 |
| Reproductive guild |
nonguarders open water/substratum egg scatterers |
| Parental Care | none |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Some shad spawn immediately on entering fresh water while others may undertake fairly long journeys, as much as 630 km upstream, to their favored spawning grounds (Ref. 4607). Enters rivers as early as November (Florida) and as late as May or June in the north, depending on water temperature (peak runs at about 18.5 °C). Spawning occurs at sundown and continues until after midnight. The fish pair and swim close together, releasing eggs and milt (Ref. 27547). Adults descend shortly after spawning, the young in the autumn. Spawning reported from 8-26°C, generally occurs at 12-21°C (Ref. 38954). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |