Gizzard Shad

A small herring-like fish with a distinctive elongated last dorsal ray and a muscular gizzard-like stomach for grinding plant material. Common in UAE mangrove and estuary systems. An important forage fish for larger predators and widely used as baitfish.

Species Stats

Diet

Phytoplankton, detritus, algae

Habitat

Estuaries, mangroves, shallow coastal areas

Local Name (Arabic)

ياوفة

Fun Facts

• 1

  Has a unique gizzard-like stomach that grinds algae and detritus.

• 2

  The elongated trailing dorsal ray is the easiest identification feature.

• 3

  A critical forage fish supporting predators throughout UAE inshore ecosystems.

Found In