Fin's Fish Guide
The Blue herring (Alosa chrysochloris) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 50 cm.
Description
The skipjack shad is a herring-like fish (Alosidae) from the fresh and brackish waters of eastern North America. The species has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a greenish back and a projecting lower jaw. Unlike many related shads it is mainly a predator: it hunts small fishes in schools, chasing them near the surface and sometimes leaping from the water. It lives in large rivers and coastal waters and migrates upstream to spawn. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blue herring?
The Blue herring has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Predatory shad with a projecting lower jaw that hunts shoals of fish by leaping.
Where does the Blue herring live?
The Blue herring lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Eastern North America; large rivers and coastal waters.
How big does the Blue herring get?
The Blue herring grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 38 cm.
Is the Blue herring dangerous to humans?
No, the Blue herring is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Blue herring edible?
The Blue herring is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Alosa
More from the family Clupeidae
Want the complete picture on the Blue herring?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue herring is one of 12,519 species in the app.