The body of the shad is oblong and slightly compressed and the jaws are armed with very sharp teeth. The head and body is bluish green dorsally and silvery below. They can attain 1.2m or 15kg.
The distribution of shad is unique in that it occurs in subtropical and temperate continental waters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and along our coast from False Bay to Mozambique. It is possibly also found off Madagascar. It is also found off Oman, in the Mediterranean, off Australia, New Zealand and the Malay Peninsula. They are found over coastal waters and juveniles and adults may enter estuaries.
The shad is a swift and voracious predator and often leaps out of the water in pursue of prey or when hooked. They may go berserk when attacking shoaling prey. They attack in packs, rushing through prey and biting and ripping fish in a feeding frenzy, sometimes destroying more fish than they can eat. Adults feed mainly on fish, but also on shrimp and squid. Juveniles consume a variety of crustaceans, fish and cephalopods. In the winter they undertake a seasonal migration from the south coast to KZN where they spawn from September to November. A one year old fish is mature at 25cm. There is a closed season in South Africa from 1 September to 30 November. This is aimed at protecting the spawning stock.
For information on places where this species occurs click on the destinations below:
Reference
Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004. Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and National Inquiry Service Centre. 488 pp.