Fin's Fish Guide
The Bony bream (Anodontostoma chacunda) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 22 cm.
Description
The chacunda gizzard shad is a herring-like fish of the family Clupeidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with a blunt snout and an inferior mouth. It lives pelagically in shallow coastal waters but also ascends estuaries and the lower parts of rivers. As a filter feeder it sifts phytoplankton, detritus and small zooplankton from the water, which it processes with a muscular, gizzard-like stomach (hence 'gizzard shad'). The chacunda gizzard shad is an important commercial food fish and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Bony bream?
The Bony bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior mouth and a muscular, gizzard-like stomach ('gizzard shad') for processing plankton and detritus.
Where does the Bony bream live?
The Bony bream lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters, estuaries and lower rivers.
How big does the Bony bream get?
The Bony bream grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.
Is the Bony bream dangerous to humans?
No, the Bony bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Bony bream edible?
Yes, the Bony bream is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Clupeidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bony bream is one of 12,519 species in the app.