Alewife

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Alewife (pronunciation: /ˈælˌwaɪf/), is a species of fish belonging to the herring family Clupeidae. The name "alewife" is derived from an Old English term for "woman who keeps an alehouse".

Description

The Alewife is a small, silver-sided fish that typically measures between 10 and 15 cm in length. It has a single dorsal fin and a deeply forked tail. The body is laterally compressed, and the belly is marked with a distinct keel of scutes (hard, scale-like structures).

Distribution and Habitat

Alewives are native to the North Atlantic Ocean and are found along the coasts of North America from Newfoundland to South Carolina. They are anadromous, meaning they live in the sea but ascend rivers to spawn.

Diet

Alewives primarily feed on plankton, but they also consume small invertebrates and fish larvae.

Reproduction

Alewives spawn in freshwater environments, typically in the spring. Females can lay between 10,000 and 100,000 eggs per season.

Importance to Humans

Alewives have been commercially fished for centuries and are used for bait, food, and oil. They also play a crucial role in the ecosystem by serving as a food source for a variety of predators.

Related Terms

• Anadromous
• Clupeidae
• Plankton
• Scute

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Alewife
• Wikipedia's article - Alewife

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