American Shad
The American Shad is anadromous. What does anadromous mean?
It means that the shad migrates UPstream from salt water to fresh water to spawn.
In 1820, these were first built on the Susquhanna River blocking the path of migratory fish.
dams - specifically mill dams
What is the status of the Atlantic Sturgeon?
Endangered
(In PA)
Name one of the PA watersheds where the American Eel can be found.
Ohio, Potomac, Susquehanna and Deleware.
What is the state fish?
brook trout
What season does the American Shad spawn?
Spring
Name one type of pollution that caused the waterways to be uninhabitable for the American Shad.
Sewage
industrial discharges
pollution from cities
runoff from timber harvesting
siltation from farms
Is the sturgeon catadromous or anadromous?
anadromous
Is the american eel catadromous or anadromous?
catadromous
What is the biggest obstacle for migrating fish?
dams
What two PA rivers does the American Shad enter our state (via the Chesapeake Bay)?
Susquehanna River and Delaware River.
These 2 groups of people relied on the American shad for food.
the Native Americans and early settlers
When does the Atlantic Sturgeon migrate to spawn?
Why are eels called "glass eels" after they hatch?
They are transparent after they hatch.
Do male or female american eels stay in estuaries?
female. The males travel up the rivers.
How many eggs can an American Shad release?
300,000 eggs
In 1885, what happened to 2.5 million pounds of shad?
They were commerically caught.
How many years can the young sturgeon spend in nursery waters(the fresh waters before heading to the ocean)?
up to 5 years
When do eels hunt?
at night.
They are nocturnal predators.
Dams used to be used to power mills. What are they used for today?
hydroelectricity and/or recreation
What is the American Shad's diet?
zooplankton, microcrustations, and small fish.
In 1981, the lowest number of Shad were counted at the Conowingo Dam. How many were counted?
750
What does the Atlantic Sturgeon eat?
small clams, crabs, and other invertebrates (from the bottom of the ocean)
What see does the American eels life begin in?
Sargasso sea (an area in the Atlantic near Bermuda)
This fish has a significant affect on the nation's econmy.
American Shad.